Press release. In Budapest, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) staged a protest during the European Psychiatric Association Congress, criticizing harmful psychiatric practices. The event featured a march and an exhibition, highlighting the need for substantial reforms in the mental health industry, as requested by United Nations and the World Health Organization.
A protest took place in Budapest challenging practices within the field of psychiatry during the European Psychiatric Association Congress. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) organized this demonstration to shed light on what they view as abusive or harmful methods in psychiatry. The event included a march and an exhibition aiming to bring attention to issues within the mental health industry and advocate for significant reforms.
The EPA Congress, held in April 2024 faced criticism for not taking action in response to recent directives from international bodies such as the UN and the World Health Organization. These directives called for an end to abusive psychiatric approaches, a matter that critics felt was not adequately addressed by the EPA’s theme of “Mental Health: Open and Inclusive.”
Led by CCHR Hungary, the protest began with a march through Budapest’s city center that concluded at the Budapest Congress and Exhibition Center, where the EPA Congress was being held. The march remained peaceful yet impactful, underscoring the protesters calls for reforms in practices.
After the march, CCHR Hungary presented an exhibit titled “Psychiatry; An Industry of Death.” This display, showcased in cities across the United States and Europe, utilizes records, videos and other types of evidence gathered over a span of more than five decades to scrutinize the field of psychiatry. The exhibit reveals the repercussions of psychiatric methods, including contentious treatments like brain operations and “electroconvulsive therapy” and how they have influenced various aspects of society including prominent artists and historical events.
During the exhibit’s unveiling, János Dobos, the head of CCHR Hungary, spoke fervently. “This material underscores the impact of psychiatry and the often harmful effects it has on individuals and society as a whole” stated Dobos. “It is essential for us to question these practices and advocate for treatment alternatives.”
Known for its intense content, the exhibition cautions visitors about its nature and allows entry to individuals only above 16 years old, unless accompanied by an adult. Its goal is to inform the public about events and current challenges in psychiatry while promoting a reassessment of how mental health issues are addressed and treated.
CCHR, the mental health watchdog organization founded in 1969 by psychiatrist Thomas Szasz in collaboration with the Church of Scientology, has consistently sparked attention and support due to its critical yet accurate perspective on psychiatry and its methods.
Recent incidents in Budapest have triggered a discussion on the involvement of psychiatry, in contemporary healthcare and the moral consequences of its methods. As discussions progress CCHR aims to persist in supporting what they see as changes to safeguard individuals rights and enhance mental health services globally.
Members of the Church of Scientology, the religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard, are dedicated to promoting rights, especially in the realm of mental health. Drawing inspiration from Mr. Hubbard’s teachings, they advocate for the safeguarding and acknowledgment of the rights of all individuals in healthcare, stressing the importance of holistic approaches to mental health care. This dedication forms part of a goal to make human rights a tangible reality across all aspects of life, including within the field of mental health.
