The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) brought its traveling exhibit, "Psychiatry an Industry of Death," to downtown St. Paul, drawing an excited crowd to the Nova Event Hall on St Peter St. The exhibit, which opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, features 14 graphic panels and 13 short documentaries that chronicle historical and current abuses within the mental health field.
The event underscores a growing concern about the treatment of patients under civil commitment laws. Speakers at the opening highlighted cases where individuals are held against their will, drugged without informed consent, and subjected to other human rights violations. Dr. Patrice Nerad, the main speaker, called for the formation of a coalition to change Minnesota's civil commitment laws, aiming to protect patients from harm in the name of help. The CCHR Minnesota chapter will assist Dr. Nerad in establishing and guiding this coalition.
CCHR, an international watchdog over the psychiatric industry since its co-founding in 1969 by psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz and the Church of Scientology, has a long history of advocating for mental health reform. The organization has worked to change legislation that curtails psychiatric practices in educational systems and society. Its most recent documentary addresses the causes of violence in society, particularly mass shootings in schools and public events, linking them to psychiatric drugs.
The exhibit's presence in the Twin Cities is timely, as debates over mental health policies and patient rights continue to gain momentum. By bringing these issues to the public eye, CCHR aims to educate and mobilize communities to demand accountability and change. For more information, visit the CCHR website or watch documentaries on the work of CCHR volunteers around the world and the film Psychiatry: An Industry of Death on the Scientology Network.
The coalition proposed by Dr. Nerad represents a proactive step toward reforming civil commitment laws in Minnesota. Such reforms could ensure that patients' rights are upheld and that they are not subjected to harmful practices under the guise of treatment. As the exhibit continues its tour, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and advocacy in the field of mental health.
