The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida, an award-winning nonprofit mental health watchdog organization, hosts weekly educational events informing Floridians about mental health laws, patient rights, and the potential physical causes behind mental health symptoms. These complimentary seminars feature attorneys, doctors, and clinical pharmacists who provide crucial information about Florida's mental health legislation and alternatives to traditional psychiatric treatments.
Attorney Carmen Miller, a former assistant public defender with direct experience representing Baker Act clients, regularly conducts seminars on mental health law and has hosted Advance Mental Health Directive workshops. These sessions educate attendees about psychiatric living wills and how such documents can protect individuals from unwanted mental health treatments, including electroshock therapy. The organization's events address the concerning reality that hundreds of physical ailments can mimic mental health conditions, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment.
During the "Psychiatric Disorders & Their Underlying Physical Causes" seminar, Alternative Medicine Professional Dr. Jared Roscoe explains how psychiatric drugs affect the body and why they may hinder actual healing processes. Clinical Pharmacist Pamela Seefeld addresses the potentially devastating side effects of psychotropic drugs on children and discusses natural treatment alternatives. These educational sessions provide vital information about mental health human rights and the importance of informed consent in treatment decisions.
The organization's regular events serve as an important resource for Floridians seeking to understand their rights under the Baker Act and make informed decisions about mental health care. With over one thousand events conducted since opening their Clearwater offices, CCHR continues its mission to educate the public about mental health abuses and promote patient protections. These seminars represent a growing movement toward greater transparency and patient empowerment in mental health care, addressing concerns about over-medication and the potential misapplication of mental health diagnoses.
