A standing-room-only crowd gathered Thursday evening at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in Portland for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening 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, underscoring growing interest in mental health accountability as Oregon's mental health system faces heightened scrutiny.
The Oregon State Hospital has recently been the subject of investigations, whistleblower allegations, and legislative scrutiny over patient care, including reports of prolonged seclusion and medical neglect. Against this backdrop, organizers said the exhibit's arrival in Portland was timely. The exhibit examines the history of psychiatry, patient rights, documented abuses, and efforts to advance human rights and informed consent through historical displays, documentary films, and educational presentations.
Dr. Dave Carothers, President of CCHR Oregon, welcomed attendees and thanked Pastor Dr. J.W. Matt Hennessee and the congregation for hosting. "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. 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 and promoting informed consent.
Pastor Hennessee emphasized the importance of confronting difficult 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."
The keynote address was delivered by author and criminal justice reform advocate Ginny Burton of Olympia, Washington. Burton shared her personal experiences with addiction, incarceration, family trauma, and the loss of her son by suicide while on psychiatric drugs, highlighting the need for careful examination of current mental health and addiction treatments.
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 to the public. Attendees remained long after to tour the exhibit, view documentaries, and engage in discussions. Organizers described the evening as an overwhelming success, with the standing-room-only attendance demonstrating strong community desire for dialogue on patient rights and mental health reform.
The exhibit features educational panels on the development of psychiatry, psychiatric drugs, patient rights, eugenics, institutional abuses, and related historical events. Visitors can also view documentary films and educational resources. Admission is free, and the exhibit is open daily from 9am-8pm through July 13 and 9am-5pm on July 14, before departing for Seattle, Washington, as part of its global tour.
This CCHR exhibit travels through major cities in the Western United States and warns parents and community members that psychiatric treatments can kill. There are 14 identical traveling exhibits worldwide. For more information, visit the CCHR website or watch documentaries on the Scientology Network.
