CCHR Warns Expansion of Forced Psychiatric Treatment Harms Human Rights

Group calls for ending involuntary commitment and forced treatment, urging adoption of rights-respecting alternatives

Mar. 23, 2026 at 10:08am

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As U.S. policies increasingly promote involuntary psychiatric commitment for homeless populations, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) warns that expanding coercive psychiatry violates human rights and lacks proven benefits. CCHR calls for ending involuntary commitment and forced treatment, urging adoption of rights-respecting alternatives already succeeding internationally.

Why it matters

The expansion of involuntary psychiatric treatment raises concerns about human rights violations and the lack of evidence supporting its benefits. CCHR argues that coercive psychiatry overrides individual autonomy without clear therapeutic value, and points to growing evidence of harm, including increased suicide risk and patient deaths tied to restraint and seclusion practices.

The details

Studies show no clear therapeutic or protective value from coercion, and mounting evidence reveals harm. A January 2026 Swedish nationwide study found excess suicide risk among those subjected to involuntary psychiatric treatment, with highest risk immediately post-discharge. A July 2025 U.S. study reported individuals released from involuntary psychiatric detention were nearly twice as likely to die by suicide or overdose within three months. A USA Today investigation documented over 14,000 patient deaths in U.S. medical facilities tied to restraint or seclusion, with nearly 1,000 involving drugs as chemical restraints.

  • In July 2025, an executive order promoted involuntary psychiatric commitment for homeless populations.
  • A January 2026 Swedish nationwide study found excess suicide risk among those subjected to involuntary psychiatric treatment.
  • A July 2025 U.S. study reported individuals released from involuntary psychiatric detention were nearly twice as likely to die by suicide or overdose within three months.
  • A USA Today investigation documented over 14,000 patient deaths in U.S. medical facilities tied to restraint or seclusion from 2019 to 2024.

The players

Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR)

An organization established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and renowned professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz, to address human rights violations in the field of mental health.

Jan Eastgate

The president of CCHR International.

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What they’re saying

“These show there can be sustained investment in approaches that can eliminate coercion without compromising safety. Alternatively, expanding involuntary commitment expands dangerous state-psychiatric power over vulnerable people, diverting billions to ineffective institutional hospitalization and forced treatment, increasing long-term costs.”

— Jan Eastgate, President, CCHR International

“It is dishonest to pretend that caring coercively for the mentally ill invariably helps him, and that abstaining from such coercion is tantamount to 'withholding treatment' from him. Every social policy entails benefits as well as harms. Although our ideas about benefits and harms vary from time to time, all history teaches us to beware of benefactors who deprive their beneficiaries of liberty.... There is neither justification nor need for involuntary psychiatric interventions....”

— Dr. Thomas Szasz, Renowned professor of psychiatry

What’s next

CCHR urges repealing involuntary commitment laws, ending coercive practices, and embracing global trends toward eliminating forced psychiatry in favor of voluntary, humane mental health care.

The takeaway

The expansion of involuntary psychiatric treatment raises serious concerns about human rights violations and the lack of evidence supporting its benefits. CCHR's call for ending coercive practices and adopting voluntary, rights-respecting alternatives aligns with global trends and successful models that have reduced the use of restraints and involuntary commitment without compromising safety or increasing costs.