The Father of Psychiatry, Wilhelm Wundt said in 1879 “that man is an animal with no soul”, he claimed that thought was merely the result of brain activity a false premise that has remained the basis of psychiatry until this day.
A recently published life saving reform by the United Nations and World Health Organization was a point of needed discussion at the Castle Kyalami, where social workers and mental health advocates were brought up to date by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) on new international directions to protect people with mental problems against psychiatric abuses.
Location
City: Midrand
State: Gauteng
Country: South Africa
Release date: 28 March 2024
Press Release Body/ Text
A recently published life saving reform by the United Nations and World Health Organization was a point of needed discussion at the Castle Kyalami, where social workers and mental health advocates were brought up to date by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) on new international directions to protect people with mental problems against psychiatric abuses.
A turning point has been reached after decades of struggles. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) issued groundbreaking guidelines on “Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation,” seeking to protect mental health patients against psychiatric exploitation.
For decades, the mental health field has been plagued by practices violating human rights, zero cures, death and billions of dollars made for little to no products. Deeply concerned by the lack of results, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), has been very vocal and has long fought against forced commitment, restraints, and electroshock therapy (ECT). Now they celebrate their recent achievements and world leading organizations seek to do away with these abuses.
“We need workable solutions in the field of mental health. Psychiatry must not be profit driven to such a point of continuing deadly practices, they must be put under control. We have been attacking and exposing human rights violations in psychiatry and now all is coming to light. These new reforms will save millions of people from unnecessary drugging and institutionalization, “said Mau Meiring, Direction of CCHR in South Africa.
The guidelines emphasize the right to refuse treatment and explore alternative options.
•Forced Coercion:
The document denounces practices like involuntary commitment and forced treatment, labeling them violations of human dignity.
• Abusive Practices:
It condemns the use of restraints, seclusion, and treatments like ECT that can cause brain damage.
• Lack of Patient Choice:
Due to the tireless work of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights globally, they consider this a major win against the field of Mental Health and psychiatric abuse. For decades they have been the Watchdog organization that has been education and reporting about involuntary commitment, misdiagnosis, torture, crimes and abuses of human in the field of mental health.
“ This isn’t just a recommendation; it’s a call to action for reform! “, continued Mau.
CCHR urges governments to implement these guidelines and dismantle a system that has inflicted suffering for far too long.
“ We must ensure a mental health system that include human rights and dignity for people that prioritizes informed consent, respects patient autonomy, and offers effective treatment options with the full understanding of their side effects,” continued Mau.
It commits to “Zero” tolerance of coercive psychiatric practices and wants all governments to do so too. The recommendations are the strongest ever to bring psychiatric abuses to justice and provide protections for patients, including:
*69, Children and adolescent with mental disorders should be provided with early intervention through evidence-based psychosocial and other non-pharmacological interventions based in the community, avoiding institutionalization and medicalization.
* Legislation should clearly prohibit all involuntary measures. “Page 66”
* Coercive “practices in mental health care violate the right to be protected from torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. “Page 55”
* “A person must not administer to or peform another person any of the following. -(a) deep sleep therapy; (b) insulin coma therapy; (c) psychosurgery; and (d) any other operation or treatment proscribed (outlawed) by regulations. “Page 59”
* Patients must have the right to refuse treatment and choose alternative medical help. “Page 55”
* Electroshock causes brain damage and should be prohibited on childrenElectroshock causes brain damage and should be prohibited on children. “Page 58”
* Legislation must ensure accountability for any transgressions of laws, providing for “civil, administrative or criminal sanctions” and compensation. “Page 105”
“This is a big step towards mental health reform but now we must implement them,” concluded Mau.
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights invites members of the public to join them in
demanding an end to mental health abuses and building a future where dignity and choice prevail! They condemn involuntary commitment, the use of restraint and seclusion, and forced “treatment,” including electroshock (ECT).
Keywords Anchor text links
Keyword 1: Citizens Commission on Human Rights
URL: https: https://www.cchr.org.za
Key word 2: L. Ron Hubbard
URL: https://www.castlekyalami.org.za/l-ron-hubbard/
Keyword 3: Human Rights
URL: https://www.cchr.org/ban-ect/
Contact information
Full name: Maurithus Meiring
Organization name: Citizens Commission on Human Rights Africa
Phone: 079 825 9869
Email address: cchr@cloaf.africa
Website : www.cchr.org and www.cchrint.org
Facebook page URL: https:/www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=10006666211394
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Human Rights, Mental Health, Health, Community Development, Business, Entrepreneur, Financial times, Finance, Skills Development, Education, Life Skills, Sustainable development, Community Service, Politics, Government, Business, Financial times, Philanthropy. Psychiatry, Psychology.