PORTLAND, OR — A standing-room-only crowd gathered Thursday evening at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church 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, highlighting growing interest in mental health accountability amid heightened scrutiny of Oregon's mental health system.
In recent months, the Oregon State Hospital has faced investigations, whistleblower allegations, and legislative scrutiny over patient care, including reports of prolonged seclusion and medical neglect. Organizers said the exhibit's arrival in Portland was timely. Hosted by Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church, the exhibit examines psychiatry's history, 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 the Oregon chapter of CCHR, 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. He noted that CCHR, founded in 1969 by psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz and the Church of Scientology, is an international mental health watchdog organization.
Pastor Hennessee emphasized the importance of confronting difficult history: "We must understand the mistakes and harms of the past so they are never repeated. 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 on psychiatric drugs. She highlighted 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 a ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening the exhibit. Attendees remained 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 and mental health reform.
The exhibit features educational panels on psychiatry's history, psychiatric drugs, patient rights, eugenics, and institutional abuses. Visitors can also view documentary films. Admission is free, and the exhibit is open daily from 9am-8pm through July 13, and from 9am-5pm on July 14, before moving to Seattle, Washington.
For more information, visit the CCHR website, watch documentaries on the work of CCHR volunteers, or view the film Psychiatry: An Industry of Death on the Scientology Network.
