Hundreds of Floridians toured the "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" exhibit in Kissimmee this week, examining the complex history of psychiatric treatment and potential human rights violations. The exhibit, hosted by the Florida chapter of Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), aimed to educate the public about controversial practices in mental health care.
The exhibit, which travels nationwide and is based on a permanent museum in Los Angeles, features 14 audiovisual displays with interviews from over 160 professionals including doctors, attorneys, educators, and survivors. It specifically highlights concerns about practices such as electroshock therapy, involuntary medical examinations, and pediatric medication.
Florida is one of only two states with a permanent installation of this exhibit, located in downtown Clearwater. Since its unveiling in 2015, over 10,000 people have toured the museum, including students from nursing and technical colleges who incorporate the two-hour self-guided tour into their clinical education.
CCHR Florida's president, Diane Stein, emphasized the exhibit's goal of promoting understanding about psychiatric treatments, with the hope of ensuring that individuals receive compassionate, appropriate care rather than coercive interventions.
By coupling museum tours with seminars on mental health law, CCHR aims to educate lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and citizens about potential abuses and individual rights in mental health treatment.
