Over 14,800 ECT patients were 16 times more likely to try to commit suicide than a control group of 58,369; antidepressants can also induce suicidal feelings and frightening long-term withdrawal effects. A new study published in Psychological Medicine questions the two principle physical treatments recommended for depression: antidepressants and electroshock therapy (ECT) and raises the … Read more
Forced to obtain electroshock statistics through FOIA, CCHR finds states electroshocking those 0–5 and up to age 12. UN defines any ECT without consent as an act of torture—yet this increasingly occurs throughout the U.S. Statistics on electroshock treatment (ECT) usage in the U.S. for 2019 reveals at least four of 27 states reporting ECT … Read more
Watchdog says electroshock must be banned, but until this occurs, hospitals are being notified that omitting patient information of how electroshock treatment causes brain-damage and memory loss may constitute consumer fraud. CCHR is responding to consumers reporting severe and permanent memory loss from undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). CCHR is writing to the more than 400 … Read more
In light of a recent media investigation and Medicare statistics, a mental health watchdog says increased government oversight of antipsychotic use and electroshocking of nursing home residents is imperative to protect and save lives. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International, a mental health industry watchdog, said Medicare statistics reveal thousands of the country’s elderly … Read more
Watchdog says, “conversion therapy,” which uses electroshock, is torture, recognized by the United Nations. Whether used for behavior modification, internet addiction or any psychiatric condition, electroshock is not conducive to achieving mental health. All shock devices require banning. While electroshock use as part of “conversion therapy” is being banned—most recently by Minnesota Governor James Walz—the … Read more
After weeks of testimony from former Lake Alice patients being electroshocked without an aesthetic as punishment, knocked unconscious with the violence of the shock, then being raped, some “solace” from being heard has been be found, CCHR says, “but not yet justice.” A two-week New Zealand government Royal Commission public inquiry into the psychiatric electroshock … Read more
*Warning: This story contains details that may disturb some people* A 14-year-old girl was drugged, electroshocked and allegedly raped by “sadistic” psychiatrist in NZ; staff and authorities ignored her pleas; police didn’t investigate the complaint. Never prosecuted, Leeks moved to Australia, where he continued to practice and sexually assault patients, without accountability. A Royal Commission … Read more
Mental Health Watchdog provides sample psychiatric advanced directive that individuals can sign as a prevention against enforced electroshock and other coercive practices such as those at Lake Alice hospital—in response to international report condemning mental health abuse. In its recently released guidelines to protect against coercive psychiatric practices and forced treatment that have harmed patients, … Read more
*Warning: This story contains details that may disturb some people* 300 NZ children were tortured with electroshock at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital between 1972 and 1978. Their horrific abuse—described by one expert as similar to Gestapo torture—continued, as NZ psychiatrists, medical and government authorities ignored their pleas. However, the watchdog, CCHR, believed them and acted, … Read more
WHO report vindicates CCHR and the many groups that have fought worldwide for the recognition of psychiatric human rights violations, including involuntary commitment and forced electroshock and other biomedical, including drug treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a damning report that lashes out against coercive psychiatric practices, which it says “are pervasive and … Read more