A standing-room-only crowd gathered Thursday evening at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in Portland for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights' (CCHR) traveling exhibit, "Psychiatry: An Industry of Death." The event drew community leaders, clergy, advocates, and members of the public, reflecting growing interest in mental health accountability at a time when Oregon's mental health system is under heightened scrutiny.
In recent months, the Oregon State Hospital has faced investigations, whistleblower allegations, and legislative scrutiny over patient care, including reports of prolonged seclusion practices and concerns regarding medical neglect. Organizers said the exhibit's arrival in Portland was timely, as it examines the history of psychiatry, patient rights, documented abuses within the psychiatric system, and ongoing efforts to advance human rights and informed consent in mental health care through historical displays, documentary films, and educational presentations.
Dr. Dave Carothers, President of the Oregon chapter of CCHR, welcomed attendees and thanked Pastor Dr. J.W. Matt Hennessee and the congregation of Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church for hosting the exhibit. "This exhibit is intended to educate the public about the history of psychiatry, documented human rights violations, and the need for continued reform and protection of patient rights," Carothers said. He explained that CCHR, founded in 1969 by psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz and the Church of Scientology, is an international mental health watchdog organization dedicated to protecting patient rights, promoting informed consent, and encouraging accountability within the mental health system.
Pastor Hennessee spoke about the importance of confronting difficult chapters of history. "We must understand the mistakes and harms of the past so they are never repeated," he said. "By learning from history and working together, we can help build a better future." Keynote speaker Ginny Burton, a nationally recognized author and criminal justice reform advocate from Olympia, Washington, shared her personal experiences with addiction, incarceration, family trauma, and the loss of her son by suicide while he was on psychiatric drugs, emphasizing the need to carefully examine current approaches to mental health and addiction treatment.
Following the presentations, Carothers, Pastor Hennessee, Burton, and Church of Scientology community representative Benjamin Klevit participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening the exhibit. Attendees remained long after to tour the exhibit, view documentaries, and engage in discussions. Organizers described the evening as an overwhelming success, noting the strong community desire for dialogue on patient rights, accountability, and mental health reform.
The exhibit features dozens of educational panels exploring the historical development of psychiatry, psychiatric drugs, patient rights, eugenics, institutional abuses, and related events. Admission is free, and the public is invited to visit daily from 9am-8pm through July 13, and from 9am-5pm on July 14th, before it departs for Seattle. For more information, visit the CCHR website or watch documentaries on the Scientology Network.
