Trending...
- Liquidity Aggregation: US-Registered JHKXWL Integrates AI Analytics for Brazilian and Global Institutional Traders - 152
- Own 327 Acres of American Prime Real Estate with 2 Miles Waterfront Worth In Millions for Just $7 — Worldwide Raffle Launched
- Little Wheels Adds Parent Recording to Vehicle Tales, Turning Bedtime Stories into Family Keepsakes
CCHR, a Mental Health Industry Watchdog Increases its Campaign to Educate Parents on Preventing Forced Mental Health Screening of Schoolchildren
LOS ANGELES - ncarol.com -- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR), a mental health industry watchdog, has stepped up its nationwide campaign to increase parents' awareness of the risks associated with mental health screening in schools. CCHR warns that misdiagnoses of children's behavior can lead to potentially dangerous psychotropic drug prescriptions.
CCHR praised the courageous efforts of a group of mothers who shared their devastating experiences in CCHR's documentary Dead Wrong. These parents, some who lost children due to mislabeling and psychiatric drug prescriptions, have worked with CCHR to raise awareness about the dangers associated with parents being misinformed about their child's needs are a mental disorder, when other options may be available to them.
One of the featured parents, Celeste Steubing, speaks about her son Matthew, an 18-year-old who tragically took his own life shortly after being prescribed an antidepressant for dealing with a rough patch in his senior year of high school, which left him feeling down. "Matthew had been a vibrant kid, happy and full of life," Celeste said. After starting the drug, however, he became withdrawn and anxious, ultimately taking his life just nine weeks later.
Mathy Milling Downing, another grieving mother, lost her 12-year-old daughter, Candace, only four days after she was prescribed an antidepressant for exam anxiety.[1] Likewise, Vicki Dunkle recalled how her 10-year-old daughter, Shaina, died in her arms after suffering a toxic reaction to a medication prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)—despite it not being approved for children under 13.[2]
CCHR's campaign also highlights financial incentives driving ADHD diagnoses. At a 2002 congressional hearing, Colorado Representative Bob Schaffer reported that federal programs such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provided financial incentives to schools for each student diagnosed with ADHD—averaging between $400, while later reports say $1,000.[3]
More on ncarol.com
Dr. Allen Frances, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University, and former chair of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Task Force, has warned diagnostic changes fueled a "false epidemic" of ADHD and autism, drastically increasing the number of children labeled with the disorder and prescribed stimulants.[4] Misplaced diagnostic exuberance has turned age-appropriate immaturity into a psychiatric disease and treats it with a pill, rather than just letting the kid grow up," he stated.[5]
Exacerbating this concern is the widespread use of school-based mental health screenings. Professor Frances cautioned, "Accumulating evidence makes clear how ineffective and harmful are almost all the highly touted screening tests." Further, "Encouraging mental health screening for children is unsupported by scientific evidence and amounts to a reckless public health experiment on children."[6]
Sheila Matthews, Vice President of the parents' rights advocacy group AbleChild, has firsthand experience with coercive psychiatric labeling. Her seven-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD based on a simple checklist questionnaire at his school. Matthews was told that without medication, he would likely "self-medicate" and become a drug addict. Refusing to comply, Matthews exposed the misleading tactics used by school psychologists to pressure parents into medicating their children. She later worked with Connecticut State Representative Lenny Winkler to pass a groundbreaking law preventing schools from recommending psychiatric drugs for students.[7]
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, underscored the subjectivity in diagnosing ADHD, revealing a significant rate of false positives when using ADHD scales and screening measures for diagnosis.[8]
Patty Weathers, the founder of AbleChild, testified at an FDA advisory panel hearing about the lack of science behind psychiatric labels given to children, leading to their being drugged. "Parents are told that their child has a chemical imbalance or a neurobiological illness. We risked our child's life based on this fundamental lie," she testified. "The FDA is well aware that there are no x-rays, biopsies, blood tests or brain scans that verify these mental disorders as a disease or illness."
More on ncarol.com
Dr. David Stein, Ph.D., emphasized in Dead Wrong that parents are often misled. Addressing Celeste Steubing's experience, he reassured her, "You did not let your son down. You were an honest parent, honestly seeking help for your son who was having some trouble…. All you would get is 'chemical imbalance' or 'neurological disorder.'"
The parents and CCHR were instrumental in securing legislative protections against coerced psychiatric drugging of students, helping get passed the federal Prohibition of Mandatory Medication Amendment preventing schools from making psychotropic drug use a requirement for a child's education. However, CCHR warns that much broader protections are needed to safeguard children and adolescents from coercive psychiatric practices in schools.
CCHR, which was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, author of The Manufacture of Madness, is committed to empowering parents with information and legal protections to ensure their children's well-being, It urges parents to educate themselves about their rights. On its website, CCHR provides a Parents: Get the Facts—Know Your Rights resource page, which includes a Parent's Exemption Form to opt children out of mental health screenings in schools.
Sources:
[1] www.cchrint.org/2023/09/12/new-study-confirms-child-and-youth-suicide-risk-with-antidepressants/
[2] www.cchrint.org/2021/08/30/cchrs-psa-informs-parents-about-how-child-mental-health-industry-creates-risks/
[3] www.cchrint.org/2010/11/18/ablechild-unsung-hero-in-battle-against-psychopharmaceutical-industry/; beforeitsnews.com/health/2013/01/schools-gets-up-to-1000-or-more-for-every-student-diagnosed-as-addadhd-heres-why-2466482.html
[4] www.cchrint.org/2022/03/21/adhd-marketing-brands-children-to-hook-them-on-psychostimulants/; www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2320493/Does-child-really-behaviour-disorder-A-shocking-book-leading-therapist-reveals-millions–including-children–wrongly-labelled-psychiatric-problems.html
[5] www.cchrint.org/2014/10/16/adhd-awareness-month-a-pharmaceutical-marketing-campaign-to-get-more-kids-on-drugs/, citing: www.huffpost.com/entry/12-ways-parents-can-prote_b_5888392
[6] www.cchrint.org/2022/10/28/cchr-launches-investigation-into-educational-decline/; www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/saving-normal/201304/the-obama-plan-spending-mh-money-in-the-wrong-places
[7] www.cchrint.org/2010/11/18/ablechild-unsung-hero-in-battle-against-psychopharmaceutical-industry/
[8] "ADHD Tests Lead to Mass Overdiagnosis, Researchers Warn," MAD, 4 Dec. 2023, citing: journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/10870547231177470
CCHR praised the courageous efforts of a group of mothers who shared their devastating experiences in CCHR's documentary Dead Wrong. These parents, some who lost children due to mislabeling and psychiatric drug prescriptions, have worked with CCHR to raise awareness about the dangers associated with parents being misinformed about their child's needs are a mental disorder, when other options may be available to them.
One of the featured parents, Celeste Steubing, speaks about her son Matthew, an 18-year-old who tragically took his own life shortly after being prescribed an antidepressant for dealing with a rough patch in his senior year of high school, which left him feeling down. "Matthew had been a vibrant kid, happy and full of life," Celeste said. After starting the drug, however, he became withdrawn and anxious, ultimately taking his life just nine weeks later.
Mathy Milling Downing, another grieving mother, lost her 12-year-old daughter, Candace, only four days after she was prescribed an antidepressant for exam anxiety.[1] Likewise, Vicki Dunkle recalled how her 10-year-old daughter, Shaina, died in her arms after suffering a toxic reaction to a medication prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)—despite it not being approved for children under 13.[2]
CCHR's campaign also highlights financial incentives driving ADHD diagnoses. At a 2002 congressional hearing, Colorado Representative Bob Schaffer reported that federal programs such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provided financial incentives to schools for each student diagnosed with ADHD—averaging between $400, while later reports say $1,000.[3]
More on ncarol.com
- Star Sleep & Wellness Expands to Pearland, Texas — Bringing Life-Changing Sleep Care to More Communities
- Fort Lauderdale Dentist Dr. Taskonak & IN A DAY SMILE Receive Emmy Nomination for Life-Changing Documentary "The Weight of a Smile"
- Men's Health Network Highlights Major 2025 Achievements & Launches New Donation Platform For Greater Impact
- BET and Soul Train Awards - GONE! - Introducing The World Hip Hop Awards
- Australian Aboriginal Cultural Immersions and First Nations Workshops
Dr. Allen Frances, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University, and former chair of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Task Force, has warned diagnostic changes fueled a "false epidemic" of ADHD and autism, drastically increasing the number of children labeled with the disorder and prescribed stimulants.[4] Misplaced diagnostic exuberance has turned age-appropriate immaturity into a psychiatric disease and treats it with a pill, rather than just letting the kid grow up," he stated.[5]
Exacerbating this concern is the widespread use of school-based mental health screenings. Professor Frances cautioned, "Accumulating evidence makes clear how ineffective and harmful are almost all the highly touted screening tests." Further, "Encouraging mental health screening for children is unsupported by scientific evidence and amounts to a reckless public health experiment on children."[6]
Sheila Matthews, Vice President of the parents' rights advocacy group AbleChild, has firsthand experience with coercive psychiatric labeling. Her seven-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD based on a simple checklist questionnaire at his school. Matthews was told that without medication, he would likely "self-medicate" and become a drug addict. Refusing to comply, Matthews exposed the misleading tactics used by school psychologists to pressure parents into medicating their children. She later worked with Connecticut State Representative Lenny Winkler to pass a groundbreaking law preventing schools from recommending psychiatric drugs for students.[7]
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders, underscored the subjectivity in diagnosing ADHD, revealing a significant rate of false positives when using ADHD scales and screening measures for diagnosis.[8]
Patty Weathers, the founder of AbleChild, testified at an FDA advisory panel hearing about the lack of science behind psychiatric labels given to children, leading to their being drugged. "Parents are told that their child has a chemical imbalance or a neurobiological illness. We risked our child's life based on this fundamental lie," she testified. "The FDA is well aware that there are no x-rays, biopsies, blood tests or brain scans that verify these mental disorders as a disease or illness."
More on ncarol.com
- Soccer777 to Launch "Enjoy Soccer, Welcome the World Cup" Limited Edition Theme Soccer Set
- Uk Financial Ltd Featured In New York Business Now — 2019 Gold-Backed Bitcoin Prediction Now Becomes SEC Security Token Filing
- MROVI Trailer Parts Launches Its Own Tire Brand: Introducing MROVI Tires and the New Didgori Trail Tread
- The NoNickel Gift Guide: Stylish, Skin-Safe Gifts Under $50 (and One Worth the Splurge)
- AI, Fintech, and Cybersecurity Divisions Ignite High-Margin Growth: IQSTEL, Inc. (N A S D A Q: IQST)
Dr. David Stein, Ph.D., emphasized in Dead Wrong that parents are often misled. Addressing Celeste Steubing's experience, he reassured her, "You did not let your son down. You were an honest parent, honestly seeking help for your son who was having some trouble…. All you would get is 'chemical imbalance' or 'neurological disorder.'"
The parents and CCHR were instrumental in securing legislative protections against coerced psychiatric drugging of students, helping get passed the federal Prohibition of Mandatory Medication Amendment preventing schools from making psychotropic drug use a requirement for a child's education. However, CCHR warns that much broader protections are needed to safeguard children and adolescents from coercive psychiatric practices in schools.
CCHR, which was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, author of The Manufacture of Madness, is committed to empowering parents with information and legal protections to ensure their children's well-being, It urges parents to educate themselves about their rights. On its website, CCHR provides a Parents: Get the Facts—Know Your Rights resource page, which includes a Parent's Exemption Form to opt children out of mental health screenings in schools.
Sources:
[1] www.cchrint.org/2023/09/12/new-study-confirms-child-and-youth-suicide-risk-with-antidepressants/
[2] www.cchrint.org/2021/08/30/cchrs-psa-informs-parents-about-how-child-mental-health-industry-creates-risks/
[3] www.cchrint.org/2010/11/18/ablechild-unsung-hero-in-battle-against-psychopharmaceutical-industry/; beforeitsnews.com/health/2013/01/schools-gets-up-to-1000-or-more-for-every-student-diagnosed-as-addadhd-heres-why-2466482.html
[4] www.cchrint.org/2022/03/21/adhd-marketing-brands-children-to-hook-them-on-psychostimulants/; www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2320493/Does-child-really-behaviour-disorder-A-shocking-book-leading-therapist-reveals-millions–including-children–wrongly-labelled-psychiatric-problems.html
[5] www.cchrint.org/2014/10/16/adhd-awareness-month-a-pharmaceutical-marketing-campaign-to-get-more-kids-on-drugs/, citing: www.huffpost.com/entry/12-ways-parents-can-prote_b_5888392
[6] www.cchrint.org/2022/10/28/cchr-launches-investigation-into-educational-decline/; www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/saving-normal/201304/the-obama-plan-spending-mh-money-in-the-wrong-places
[7] www.cchrint.org/2010/11/18/ablechild-unsung-hero-in-battle-against-psychopharmaceutical-industry/
[8] "ADHD Tests Lead to Mass Overdiagnosis, Researchers Warn," MAD, 4 Dec. 2023, citing: journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/10870547231177470
Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Filed Under: Health
0 Comments
Latest on ncarol.com
- Viola's Babygirl's, LLC Proudly Announces Teri Tobin's Soulful New Christmas EP "Home For The Holidays"
- Stoxtel Introduces High-Throughput "Matrix" Engine to Address Mexico's Crypto Trading Volatility
- UK Financial Ltd Sets Listing Date With Catex Exchange For The Listing Of Mayacat The World's First Ever Gold Backed ERC 3643 "SEC Ready" Token
- Cyntexa Announces Updates to ChargeOn on Salesforce AppExchange
- Althea Gibson Honored as Final Release in U.S. Mint's American Women Quarters Program
- Lokal Media House Achieves Yelp Platinum Partner Status
- World's First AI-Native Industrial Facility is Under Construction by Carbon AMS with rhobot.ai
- $57 Billion U.S. Marine Industry Presents Major Growth Opportunity for Newly Public Off The Hook Yacht Sales, Inc. (N Y S E: OTH)
- Dr. Alexander Eastman Returns to Suburban Hospital to Deliver Keynote on Crisis Leadership
- Scoop Social Co.'s Mobile Dessert Truck Business Offer A Lifestyle Of Flavor, Fun, and Freedom
- Own 327 Acres of American Prime Real Estate with 2 Miles Waterfront Worth In Millions for Just $7 — Worldwide Raffle Launched
- Lakefront Acreage in Longwood's Ravensbrook Community Hits the Market
- Monika Balayan Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)
- Elevate Sales Kick Off Announces National Event for Property Management Growth in 2026
- Federal Lawsuit Claims Raleigh DA Lorrin Freeman and Police Chief Rico Boyce Concealed Evidence
- We're Winning: Historic Plunge in Overdose Deaths Marks Stunning Reversal in America's Drug Crisis
- Lineus Medical Receives Patent for SafeBreak® Vascular Generation 2
- New 2025–2026 Energy Rebates: Squeaks Services Explains How to Qualify
- CCHR's New Documentary Prescription for Violence Highlights Overlooked Safety Warnings
- Men's Health Network Announces a New Feature to Support the Well-Being of Men When and Where They Are through Text Alerts