CCHR Florida to Honor Mental Health Rights Advocates at Annual Banquet

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) of Florida is preparing to host its 8th Annual Humanitarian Awards Banquet on November 9th at the Fort Harrison in Clearwater, Florida. The event aims to recognize volunteers and supporters who have contributed to the organization's mission of reforming mental health laws and protecting patient rights.

CCHR Florida has been at the forefront of efforts to address concerns surrounding the Baker Act, Florida's mental health law. Despite being originally designed to protect patient rights, the Baker Act has become a source of controversy due to the high number of involuntary psychiatric examinations conducted under its provisions. In the 2018-2019 period, a record 214,481 such examinations were reported.

Of particular concern is the impact on minors. According to the Baker Act Reporting Center, 38,579 of the Baker Acts initiated during 2017-2018 involved children, with many taken into custody without parental knowledge. This statistic underscores the urgency of CCHR Florida's campaign, launched in 2016, to reform the mental health law and better protect individual rights.

Diane Stein, President of CCHR Florida, emphasized the importance of securing basic freedoms and rights, especially for future generations. The organization has been working to educate the public about their rights, expose abuses, and collaborate with lawmakers to enact meaningful changes to mental health legislation.

The upcoming awards banquet serves not only as a recognition of dedicated volunteers but also as a platform to highlight the ongoing challenges in the field of mental health care and patient rights. As CCHR Florida continues its efforts to reform mental health practices and protect individuals from involuntary examinations, the event underscores the critical role of advocacy in shaping mental health policies and practices in the state.