The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is hosting monthly seminars to tackle the pressing issues of mental health, veterans, and suicide. These seminars will occur on the first Saturday of every month at 2 pm at CCHR's Florida headquarters in Clearwater. The events are free and open to the public, with reservations recommended.
Veterans face unique challenges upon returning to civilian life, including exposure to traumatic events, drug abuse, pain, and loneliness. According to Diane Stein, president of CCHR Florida, these issues are often exacerbated by psychiatric treatments that may not address the root causes of veterans' suffering. Stein points out that one in ten veterans suffers from some form of substance abuse, a rate higher than the general population.
Alarmingly, research published by the USO indicates that 30,177 active-duty personnel and veterans who served after 9/11 have died by suicide, compared to 7,057 service members killed in combat during the same period. This statistic raises critical questions about the effectiveness of current mental health treatments for veterans.
Stein believes that psychiatric treatments and psychotropic drugs have not sufficiently helped veterans and soldiers who are suffering. She argues that alternative treatments, which are often overshadowed by the well-funded pharmaceutical industry, could offer safer and more effective solutions. The global antipsychotic drugs market, projected to grow from $15.50 billion in 2022 to $24.74 billion by 2029, underscores the financial power of the pharmaceutical industry in promoting these treatments.
CCHR's seminars aim to shed light on these issues and provide veterans with information on alternative treatments that do not involve psychotropic drugs. The organization hopes to foster a better understanding of mental health solutions that can genuinely benefit veterans without the risks associated with current psychiatric practices.
For more information or to reserve a seat at the next seminar, interested individuals are encouraged to visit the CCHR Florida website.
