Florida Human Rights Organization Honors Mental Health Advocates at Annual Awards Banquet

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida will host its 9th Annual Humanitarian Awards Banquet on November 8th, 2025, at the historic Fort Harrison in downtown Clearwater. This significant event celebrates the dedicated volunteers and community partners who have made substantial contributions to advancing human rights and improving mental health practices throughout Florida.

Attorney Paul Figueroa will receive the prestigious 2025 CCHR Florida Humanitarian Award, while Father Bob Swick will be honored with the 2025 CCHR Florida Lifetime Achievement Award. These recognitions highlight the organization's commitment to acknowledging individuals and organizations that work tirelessly to safeguard basic freedoms and restore dignity in mental health care. The banquet serves as both a celebration of achievements and a platform to promote continued positive change in mental health practices.

Diane Stein, President of CCHR Florida, emphasized the organization's mission, stating that their work focuses on restoring and securing basic freedoms and rights, particularly for the next generation and future leaders. The event underscores the critical work being done to ensure protection for all Floridians under the law, with special emphasis on reforming mental health legislation and preventing abuse in the system.

CCHR Florida maintains an active role in public service by educating the general public about their legal rights, exposing abuses within the mental health system, and collaborating with lawmakers to enact meaningful reforms. The organization has gained recognition for its advocacy work surrounding Florida's Baker Act, specifically focusing on reducing involuntary psychiatric examinations and advocating for more humane and transparent processes in mental health care.

The organization traces its origins to 1969 when it was established by the Church of Scientology and renowned psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz. CCHR's fundamental mission remains the eradication of abuses committed under the guise of mental health and the implementation of patient and consumer protections. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology, first brought attention to psychiatric imprisonment issues in March 1969, documenting how thousands were being seized without due process in the name of mental health.

The upcoming Humanitarian Awards Banquet represents more than just an awards ceremony—it serves as a vital platform for continuing the conversation about mental health reform and human rights protection. Attendees will participate in a banquet dinner and enjoy live musical performances during the evening event, which runs from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, creating an atmosphere conducive to networking and collaboration among mental health advocates and human rights supporters.