The "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death" exhibit, hosted by the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), drew hundreds of visitors in Kissimmee this week, providing an in-depth examination of psychiatric practices and potential human rights violations. This traveling exhibit reaches tens of thousands annually internationally and focuses on raising awareness about controversial treatments including electroshock therapy, involuntary examinations, and the medicating of children with potent psychiatric drugs. Diane Stein, president of CCHR Florida, emphasized during a special presentation that the exhibit provides critical understanding of psychiatric abuse, potentially helping those seeking mental health support receive more compassionate and appropriate care.
Florida represents one of only two states with a permanent installation of this exhibit, located in downtown Clearwater at https://www.cchrflorida.org/. The museum features 14 audiovisual displays incorporating interviews with over 160 professionals including doctors, attorneys, educators, and survivors. These displays aim to expose what the organization describes as systemic issues within psychiatric treatment. The exhibit has attracted significant interest, with over 10,000 people touring the Florida museum, including students from nursing and technical colleges who have found the two-hour self-guided tour informative and eye-opening.
Many participants have particularly valued the exhibit's context about mental health laws such as the Baker Act, which governs involuntary examination in Florida. By presenting a critical historical perspective on psychiatric practices, the exhibit seeks to educate the public about potential abuses and encourage more nuanced understanding of mental health treatment approaches. The organization maintains extensive documentation of psychiatric practices at https://www.cchr.org/documentaries/. The exhibit's presence in Kissimmee this week continues its mission of raising awareness about what organizers characterize as psychiatric industry abuses, while providing visitors with historical context about treatment methods that have drawn controversy and criticism from various advocacy groups.
