Nov 8, 2023
The Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) is hosting a virtual seminar to educate professionals about the Baker Act, a mental health law that covers involuntary examination and commitment, also known as coercive psychiatry. The Baker Act was invoked 210,992 times in Florida in 2018. Despite some restrictions, such as parents being called before it is invoked on a child, there were still 34,234 Baker Acts involving children in 2022. The use of involuntary mental health "treatment" has faced opposition from international organizations calling for an end to coercive psychiatry. The webinar aims to provide a better understanding of the Baker Act and its intentions, as well as the basic human rights impacted by the law. Attendees will gain insight into the legal context and intentions of the Baker Act, learn about the laws regarding involuntary examinations, and identify the unintended consequences of the Act. The event will also provide action steps to help protect individuals, especially children, affected by the Baker Act. The webinar will take place on November 15th via Zoom. To register, individuals can visit the provided link or contact the Florida chapter of CCHR for more information.
The mental health law, referred to as the Baker Act in Florida, covers the use of involuntary examination and commitment also known as coercive psychiatry.

Clearwater, United States - November 8, 2023 /PressCable/ —
A complimentary virtual seminar to better educate professionals on the law and potential abuses of the Baker Act is being hosted this month by the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR).
CCHR is an award-winning watchdog organization dedicated to the reformation of the mental health industry.
The mental health law, commonly referred to as the Baker Act in Florida, covers the use of involuntary examination and commitment. At the peak, this form of coercive psychiatry was used against Floridians 210,992 times in 2018.
The controversial use of involuntary mental health “treatment” has come under fire in recent years with international organizations calling for an end to coercive psychiatry.
While there are restrictions on the use of the Baker Act and parents now must be called before it is invoked on a child, there were 34,234 Baker Acts involving children in 2022, thus giving them the opportunity to help, this human rights abuse still exists.
It is vital for those entrusted with the power to initiate an involuntary psychiatric examination to understand the intentions behind the law and possible consequences when this law is used. Whether a person works as a school counselor, teacher, social worker, law enforcement or in another field, this seminar will help provide greater insight.
Geared to provide attendees with a better understanding of the Baker Act, specific learning objectives for the event include:
1. Understanding the legal context and intentions of the Baker Act.
2. Being able to describe the laws regarding involuntary examinations.
3. Being able to identify the basic human rights impacted by the Baker Act and the Act’s unintended consequences.
4. Obtaining action steps to help protect yourself, children and those impacted by the Baker Act.
This webinar will be held on Wednesday, November 15th from 6:00pm-7:00pm via Zoom. Click Here to register or call 800-782-2878 for more information.
About CCHR: Initially established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz in 1969, CCHR’s mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health. The Florida chapter of CCHR is an award-winning nonprofit in the area of mental health human rights and government relations. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought psychiatric imprisonment to wide public notice: “Thousands and thousands are seized without process of law, every week, over the ‘free world’ tortured, castrated, killed. All in the name of ‘mental health,’” he wrote in March 1969.
SOURCES:
usf.edu/cbcs/baker-act/documents/usf_barc_ar_2021_2022.pdf
iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/373126/9789240080737-eng.pdf?sequence=1
Contact Info:
Name: Diane Stein
Email: Send Email
Organization: Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida
Address: 109 North Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33755, United States
Phone: +1-727-442-8820
Website: http://www.cchrflorida.org/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 89112771
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