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Mental Health Rights Expert

Diane D. Stein

Diane Stein accepted a leadership role at the Florida chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) in 2015. 


Nonpolitcal and nonreligious, CCHR is an award winning nonprofit in the area of mental health human rights and government relations whose mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health.


Since that time she has worked to help restore human rights to the field of mental health and especially in the area of short-term emergency commitment. 


An experienced speaker who received certification on the Baker Act, Florida's mental health law, through the Department of Children and Families  Diane is sought after on topics ranging from involuntary psychiatric examination and mental health rights to the dangerous side effects of psychiatric medication.


As a Newsweek Expert, Diane is regularly interviewed by journalists and investigative reporters on emergency psychiatric holds involving children and the violation of parental and child rights under these circumstances.

WFSU Public Media

COMMITTED: Why And How Children Are the Fastest Growing Group Under Florida's Baker Act

 

Stein acted as a consultant to the journalist for this award winning 5 part investigative series on the Baker Act and was interviewed for the 

5th and final segment of the series. 


Committed: Improving Florida’s Baker Act For Children A Challenge 


"Unfortunately, whether it’s due to the law being used as a disciplinary tool, or a misguided attempt to create a sense of safety — specifically in our schools — this law is being abused and parents are being left out of the process," Stein said

Newsweek

Human Rights Expert: Why Everyone Should Care About Coercive Psychiatry

By: Diane D. Stein 6/2/22 AT 11:30 AM EDT


Human Rights Expert: Why We Need a Foster Child Bill of Rights 

By: Diane D. Stein 2/9/22 AT 11:50 AM EDT


Human Rights Expert: What the Mental Health Industry Gets Wrong About Suicide Prevention

By: Diane D. Stein 12/21/21 AT 10:25 AM EST

FOX 4 Southwest Florida

Children in Crisis, Florida's Baker Acted kids

Surge in Baker Act exams for children under 10 

 

"There's a huge problem," said Diane Stein President of the Citizen Commission on Human Rights, a non-profit watchdog group that often fields calls from frustrated parents whose children have been Baker Acted without their knowledge.

"The Baker Act kind of becomes a knee jerk solution for schools in order to handle these types of situations when they don't know exactly what to do with the child," Stein said.

News 6 WKMG CBS

Orlando-area schools see increase in Baker Acts on students after Parkland shooting


"A lot of officers and deputies are under the mistaken impression that the only thing they need to worry about is whether the person is a danger to self or others. That's incorrect," Stein said. "It is just too easy to Baker Act."


So what does Stein think could help? Parent involvement.


"The simple solution is bring the parents in," Stein said. "The majority of parents are good people; they want to help their kids. They want to do what is right for their child. So if there is a perceived problem, whether it is mental illness or perceived mental illness or some other problem, bring the parents in. Have the conversation with the parents. That education point alone would go a long way to reducing the number of Baker Acts of children in the state."

Honors and Awards

Did Medication Lead to Murder?

Diane Stein acted as a consultant, providing information on the connection between psychiatric drug side effects and violence, for this  four part investigative series. 

FROM MILLIONAIRE TO MURDERER

Bizarre tale of millionaire Neal Jacobson: Did medication lead to murder?

Wendy Rhodes, Palm Beach Post JANUARY 20, 2022

Read the Story

Newsweek

The Addiction Podcast

Create Your Own Life

  

Psychotropic Medication and Addiction: What You Can Do

By: Diane D. Stein 11/17/22 AT 8:00 AM EST

Create Your Own Life

The Addiction Podcast

Create Your Own Life


Parental Rights, The State Does Not Raise Your Children with Diane Stein

By Jeremy Ryan Slate

November 2022

The Addiction Podcast

The Addiction Podcast

The Addiction Podcast


Diane Stein the Anti Depressant Controversy

By: Joanie Sigal

October 27, 2022

Newsweek

ABC Action News Tampa

ABC Action News Tampa

  

Here's Why Tracking Of Electroconvulsive Therapy Should Be Mandatory Across the Nation

By: Diane D. Stein 10/13/22 AT 9:30 AM EDT

ABC Action News Tampa

ABC Action News Tampa

ABC Action News Tampa

    

  Baker Act exams decrease for the first time in more than 20 years during the year of pandemic

By: Katie LaGrone

Posted at 6:24 PM, Jun 08, 2021 and last updated 9:52 PM, Jun 08, 2021

Acted as Consultant to Reporter

WFSU Public Media

ABC Action News Tampa

WFSU Public Media

  

  Advocates Cheer Passage Of Bill Requiring Baker Act Parental Notification

WFSU | By Lynn Hatter

Published May 24, 2021 at 8:01 AM

Interviewed and acted as Consultant to the Reporter

SPLC

WUSF Public Media

WFSU Public Media

  

COSTLY AND CRUEL

How Misuse of the Baker Act Harms 37,000

Florida Children Each Year

2021

By: Southern Poverty Law Center

Acted as Consultant

WFSU Public Media

WUSF Public Media

WUSF Public Media

  

  Southern Poverty Law Center Reports On Child Baker Act Use

WFSU | By Lynn Hatter

Published March 23, 2021 at 8:45 AM

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

WUSF Public Media

WUSF Public Media

WUSF Public Media

      

Committed: Improving Florida’s Baker Act For Children A Challenge

By Lynn Hatter, WFSU

Published December 18, 2020 at 5:00 

Interviewed and acted as Consultant to the Reporter

Consultant

Certified on the Baker Act through training with the      

Department of Children and Families' Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Diane Stein worked with the Tampa Bay Times on a series of stories on Baker Act abuse with the first story running on September 18th.

Read One of the Stories

News-Press – USA Today Network

News-Press – USA Today Network

News-Press – USA Today Network

Florida kids are getting sent to psychiatric units under the Baker Act in record numbers

Posted: Aug 21, 2019 

Updated: Aug 22, 2019

By: Frank Gluck

Acted as Consultant to Reporter

ABC Action News Tampa

News-Press – USA Today Network

News-Press – USA Today Network

    Baker Acted kids is still on the rise, especially among younger children new state data shows

Posted: 9:25 AM, Aug 05, 2019 

Updated: 11:38 PM, Aug 05, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Acted as Consultant to Reporter

The Boca Raton Tribune

News-Press – USA Today Network

The Boca Raton Tribune

  Florida Sees Significant Increase in Baker Acted Children

Published: August 3, 2019

By: Christina Hristofordis

This is a pickup of the NBC 5 WPTV story by Katie LaGrone - Baker Acted kids is still on the rise, especially among younger children new state data shows


NBC 5 WPTV

ABC 27 WXTL Tallahassee

The Boca Raton Tribune

  

  Baker Acted kids is still on the rise, especially among younger children new state data shows

Posted: 7:12 PM, Aug 02, 2019 

Updated: 8:02 PM, Aug 02, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

ABC 27 WXTL Tallahassee

ABC 27 WXTL Tallahassee

ABC 27 WXTL Tallahassee

  

  Baker Acted kids is still on the rise, especially among younger children new state data shows

Posted: 10:36 AM, Jul 26, 2019

Updated: 10:36 AM, Jul 26, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

FOX 4 Now WFTX

ABC 27 WXTL Tallahassee

ABC 27 WXTL Tallahassee

      

  Baker Acted kids is still on the rise, especially among younger children new state data shows

Posted: 9:10 AM, Jul 24, 2019

Updated: 11:37 AM, Jul 24, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

Port Charlotte Sun

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

Port Charlotte Sun

  

  Woman sues Port Charlotte clinic over 'unlawful' Baker Act

Jun 8, 2019

By ANNE EASKER Staff Writer

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

Spectrum News 13

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

Port Charlotte Sun

  

  Watchdog: Number of Florida Kids Held Under Baker Act on the Rise

PUBLISHED May. 29, 2019 

UPDATED 2:51 PM ET Jun. 02, 2019

By Stephanie Coueignoux Florida
Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

  

  FL schools aren't mandated to have Baker Act policies; parents still left in the dark, critics say

Posted: 8:51 AM, Jan 25, 2019 

Updated: 9:57 AM, Jan 25, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to Reporter

FOX 4 NOW WFTX

CBS News 6 WKMG

ABC Action News Tampa Bay

  

  FL schools aren't mandated to have Baker Act policies; parents still left in the dark, critics say

Posted: 10:32 AM, Jan 25, 2019 

Updated: 10:39 AM, Jan 25, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to Reporter

NBC 5 WPTV

CBS News 6 WKMG

CBS News 6 WKMG

  

  FL schools aren't mandated to have Baker Act policies; parents still left in the dark, critics say

Posted: 10:47 AM, Jan 22, 2019 

Updated: 10:49 AM, Feb 1, 2019

By: Katie LaGrone

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to Reporter

CBS News 6 WKMG

CBS News 6 WKMG

CBS News 6 WKMG

  

  Orlando-area schools increase in Baker Acts on students after Parkland shooting

Posted: 11:01PM, Nov 5, 2018 

Updated: 11:01PM, Nov 5, 2018 

By: Adrianna Iwasinski

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to Reporter

The St. Augustine Record

The St. Augustine Record

The St. Augustine Record

     

  BAKER ACT: How authorities walk an often thin line between caution and harm with minors

Posted Sep 23, 2018 at 7:11 AM

Updated Sep 23, 2018 at 7:11 AM
By Colleen Jones

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to the Reporter  

First Coast ABC News

The St. Augustine Record

The St. Augustine Record

  

  Student placed under Baker Act after graphic drawings; mother outraged

Published: August 20, 2018

Updated: 7:11 PM EDT August 20, 2018

Author: Kenneth Amaro

Interviewed

The Capitol Forum

The St. Augustine Record

The Capitol Forum

  

  Acadia Healthcare: Florida Supreme Court Ruling Increases Legal Risk for Psychiatric Facilities 

May 22, 2018

By: Miles Pulsford

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to Reporter 


10 News WTSP

Washington Post

The Capitol Forum

  

  Baker Act cases on the rise, but some say it's not working

Published: March 21, 2018
Updated: March 23, 2018

Author: Liz Crawford 

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

Washington Post

Washington Post

Washington Post

  

  Mental-health counselors twice advised against committing Nikolas Cruz before school shooting, records show

March 19, 2018

By: Tim Craig 

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

The Miami Herald

Washington Post

Washington Post

      

  Shooter revealed gory fantasies to his therapists years before the Parkland massacre

MARCH 09, 2018 07:24 PM

UPDATED: MARCH 10, 2018 01:14 PM

By: KYRA GURNEY

Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

NBC 5 WPTV

ABC Action News WFTS

ABC Action News WFTS

  

  Children in Crisis, Florida's Baker Acted kids

Surge in Baker Act exams for children 

under 10

Posted: 11:31 PM, Feb 26, 2018 

Updated: 1:01 PM, Dec 12, 2018

By: Katie LaGrone 

ABC Action News WFTS

ABC Action News WFTS

ABC Action News WFTS


  Children in Crisis, Florida's Baker Acted kids

Surge in Baker Act exams for children 

under 10

Posted: 11:31 PM, Feb 26, 2018 

Updated: 1:01 PM, Dec 12, 2018

By: Katie LaGrone

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

FOX 4 Now WFTX

ABC Action News WFTS

The Miami Herald

  

  Children in Crisis, Florida's Baker Acted kids

Surge in Baker Act exams for children 

under 10

Posted: 11:31 PM, Feb 26, 2018 

Updated: 1:01 PM, Dec 12, 2018

By: Katie LaGrone

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

The Miami Herald

The Miami Herald

The Miami Herald

  

  Handcuffs and a psych exam for a 7-year-old? Schools do that too often, parents say.

FEBRUARY 02, 2018 06:00 AM

UPDATED FEBRUARY 03, 2018 01:33 AM

By: KYRA GURNEY

Interviewed

CBS 12 WPEC

The Miami Herald

CBS 12 WPEC

  

  State report examines sharp rise in Baker Act cases

Monday, December 18th 2017

By: Andrea Marvin

Interviewed and Acted as Consultant to the Reporter

CBS 12 WPEC

The Miami Herald

CBS 12 WPEC

  

  A surge in students handcuffed, locked up and labeled crazy

Monday, October 31st 2017

By: Andrea Marvin

Interviewed

CBS 12 WPEC

CBS 12 WPEC

CBS 12 WPEC

  

Kids held for involuntary mental health evaluations without parental consent

Thursday, May 4th 2017

By: Lynda Figueredo

Interviewed

INQUISITOR

CBS 12 WPEC

CBS 12 WPEC

  

Electroshock Of Children Recommended By American Psychiatric Association, Human Rights Group Protests

May 14, 2016

By Heather Tooley

Interviewed

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Thought Leader - instrumental in facilitating the adoption of state statutes and agency policies resulting in the protection of millions of children from mental health rights abuse, 2015-2022
  • CCHR Florida won the 2022 Platinum Award in the category of Government Relations for their work in the area of mental health human rights.
  • Competing with thousands of entries from all over the world, CCHR Florida was the winner of the 2022 Social Impact Awards. A panel of industry experts declared CCHR's entry to be bold, innovative, and deserving of industry wide-recognition for helping to usher in a diverse, equitable future.
  • The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Florida Parents’ Bill of Rights Project 2021 was one of four nonprofits who received Honorable Mention in PR News’ Nonprofit Awards in the category of Social Responsibility Campaign/Initiatives. “You are among the most talented communicators that work hard to make the world a better place via nonprofit initiatives,” Mary-Lou French, Manager, Awards and Subscriptions PRNEWS 
  • Panelist - Broward County Crime Commission 9th Annual Juvenile Violence Conference, December 4, 2021
  • Presenter - Florida Parent Teacher Association Leadership Summit 2020-2021
  • Panelist - Kids that Kill Juvenile Conference - Broward County Crime Commission, November 8, 2018, Violence Report
  • Documentary - Voices for Humanity: A Stand for Rights in the Sunshine State, April 11, 2018
  • Speaker - Task Force on Involuntary Examination of Minors, September 28, 2017
  • Training - Individual Rights and the Baker Act, June 2015
  • Training - Minors and the Baker Act, June 2015
  • Training - Law Enforcement and the Baker Act, May 2015

CONTACT ME

Mental Health Rights Expert - Diane D. Stein

109 N. Fort Harrison Ave | Clearwater, FL 33755 us

Media Contact: (727) 743-9579

Copyright © 2020 Diane D. Stein - All Rights Reserved. Citizens Commission on Human Rights and the CCHR Logo are trademarks and service marks owned by Citizens Commission on Human Rights.

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