Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida

Research: cchr Florida conducted research into the many different areas of Human Rights abuses in the mental health system including psychiatric use of electroshock therapy, the involuntary commitment of minors without parental consent and the psychiatric drugging of the elderly in nursing homes and assisted care facilities. This information was then used to educate individuals on their Rights under the mental health laws of Florida.

Public outreach: cchr Florida conducted public outreach through its website and social media. Public service announcements and press alerts were sent across the state of Florida vis email directly to media outlets. Cchr Florida also posted videos of the documentaries as well as public service announcements on social media channels and its website.

Informational clearinghouse & hotline: as a public benefit cchr Florida provided a toll-free 800 hotline for people to report incidents of psychiatric abuse under the baker act (the mental health law of Florida), fraud or other abusive conduct and to request free information. The cchr Florida hotline is promoted through public service announcements, its website, handouts and through social media. Through this hotline cchr Florida assisted those reporting psychiatric abuses and filed complaints to the appropriate authorities. Cchr Florida also provided callers with accurate information of the documented risks of psychiatric drugs and the Rights they are accorded under the baker act.

Public education & advocacy including legislative activities: cchr Florida educated lawmakers on the issues facing those Citizens who have been labelled as mentally ill and as a result were incarcerated in mental health facilities against their will via emails, mailings, phone calls, in person visits and through the activation of cchr Florida supporters. Call-to- action emails were sent to members requesting that they contact lawmakers on specific issues dealing with mental health in the state.