Latest news with #CitizensCommissiononHumanRights
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Health
- Business Insider
CCHR Traveling Exhibit in Old Sacramento Highlights Concerns Over Psychiatric Coercion
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) of Sacramento hosted the grand opening of its global traveling exhibit, 'Psychiatry: An Industry of Death,' on Saturday, August 2, in Old Sacramento. The free exhibit, which ran through September 10, drew more than 1,000 visitors and aimed to raise public awareness about psychiatric coercion and promote mental health reform. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured keynote remarks from Eric Eisenhammer, energy consumer advocate and local business owner, and Edrine Ddungu, Ruling Elder for the North Central California Presbytery. The exhibit was organized to highlight concerns identified in an October 2023 joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which stated that coercion remains a core component of many mental health laws. The report describes practices such as involuntary hospitalization, involuntary medication, involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), seclusion, and physical, chemical, or mechanical restraint, and warns that these 'can inflict severe pain and suffering… impede recovery and lead to substantial trauma and even death.' Mr. Ddungu spoke about what he described as increasing pressure on parents to approve psychiatric medications for their children, emphasizing the need to protect parental rights. 'As parents, we need to have the right to control the care our children receive,' he said. Mr. Eisenhammer discussed his own experiences and the impact of psychiatric labeling, cautioning that such diagnoses and treatments can worsen depression. 'I wish that 40-year-old me could go back in time and tell 20-year-old me not to believe the labels and to realize that he has a good future ahead of him,' he said. The exhibit's documentary presentations and displays draw from more than 40 years of CCHR's investigations into psychiatric practices, covering issues such as the use of psychiatric drugs in children, the relationship between psychiatric medications and acts of violence, and the historical role of psychiatry in discriminatory policies. Founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and the late Dr. Thomas Szasz, Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus at the State University of New York Health Science Center in Syracuse, CCHR states that it investigates and seeks to expose human rights violations in the field of mental health. One of the group's guiding principles is that 'human rights must become a fact, not an idealistic dream' as originated by Humanitarian L Ron Hubbard, Attendees of the Sacramento exhibit described it as informative and thought-provoking, with many noting that it reinforced their concerns about current mental health practices. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is a nonprofit mental health watchdog organization co-founded in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and Dr. Thomas Szasz. CCHR's stated mission is to investigate and expose human rights violations in the field of mental health and to promote reforms that safeguard individual freedoms.
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Pioneer Spirit of Discovery Flourishes in Destination: Scientology, Sacramento
LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Scientology Network's DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY, the weekly travelogue series that takes viewers inside Scientology Churches all around the world and discovers what makes each one unique, presents an episode featuring Sacramento, California. DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network. ABOUT DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY, SACRAMENTO Sacramento, capital of the Golden State, first became a destination for fortune seekers during the 1849 Gold Rush. From those early days, the city has evolved into a hub of agriculture, government, and more recently, a fast-growing tech sector. Just blocks from the State Capitol, the Church of Scientology Sacramento stands as the largest surviving example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in the city. Meticulously restored, it serves as a testament to Sacramento's rich past. In this episode, viewers will visit Sutter's Fort to explore Sacramento's Gold Rush legacy, learn how the city helped lead the farm-to-fork movement, and experience its deep passion for sports. It also highlights how the Church makes a lasting impact across the region through humanitarian campaigns, including the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, which played a key role in passing the Foster Kids Bill of Rights. As a cornerstone of the community, the Church plays a vital role in Sacramento's ongoing legacy—a legacy shaped by the pioneers of 1849 and the pioneering spirit that continues to drive the city today. Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018, launched by David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion. Since then, Scientology Network has been viewed in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists, showing the Church as a global organization and presenting its Social Betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by Independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities. Scientology Network's innovative content has been recognized with more than 125 industry awards, including Tellys, Communitas and Hermes Creative Awards. Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church's global media center in Los Angeles, Scientology Network is available on DIRECTV Channel 320, DIRECTV STREAM and AT&T U-verse and can be streamed at on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. IMAGE link for media: IMAGE caption: Explore the pioneer spirit of Sacramento in the latest episode of 'DESTINATION: SCIENTOLOGY,' airing Monday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network. Discover the historic Church of Scientology Sacramento, a stunning example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, and learn about the city's Gold Rush legacy and community impact. NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, Destination: Scientology Sacramento, Scientology Network, LOS ANGELES, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126972 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
