CLEARWATER, Fla., April 19, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) of Florida, a non-profit mental health watchdog established by the Church of Scientology and Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, announced that since its launch of a campaign to prevent unjust involuntary psychiatric examinations of children under the Baker Act, they have educated 150,000 families on how to prevent unjust seizures.  CCHR’s seminars, brochures and media have educated these families on their rights while helping to secure the safe release of hundreds of men, women and children being held against their will.

CCHR Florida’s President, Diane Stein said, “According to the 2015 Annual Report of Baker Act Data prepared for the Agency for Health Care Administration, 32,882 involuntary psychiatric examinations were initiated on minors in Florida, which is a 50 percent, increase from fiscal year 2010 to 2015.”

CCHR Florida has gathered over 5,000 petition signatures from parents asking that the mental health law be changed to restore parental rights and protect children.

“We recently analyzed the calls we have received from parents whose children were sent for involuntary examination without their consent and found that over 70 percent of these children did not meet the criteria for a Baker Act,” said Diane Stein.

The CCHR President also said that the form it provides parents that they can file with their children’s school helps protect their parental rights.  CCHR has distributed almost 25,000 forms to concerned parents in Florida.  Families interested in learning more about how to protect their children, or to obtain a copy of the form, are encouraged to visit the CCHR center at 109 N. Fort Harrison or visit the CCHR website, http://www.cchrflorida.org/florida-non-consent-forms/, to download the form online and sign a petition to stop the involuntary examination of children without parental knowledge or consent.

About CCHR:
CCHR’s mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections.  It was L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology, said in March 1969, “Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the ‘free world’ tortured, castrated, killed.  All in the name of ‘mental health.’” For more information visit, www.cchrflorida.org

Media Contact:
Diane Stein
President, CCHR Florida
727-442-8820
diane@cchrflorida.org
www.cchrflorida.org