Citizens Commission on Human Rights to Hold World Mental Health Day Event

 

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Nashville (CCHR Nashville) continues to work to spread information to parents on their basic rights so they can help their children.

 

 

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights Nashville Chapter (CCHR Nashville) is working to educate parents on their basic rights as they relate to their children’s mental health and well-being. On its website, cchrnashville.org, there is a tab specifically for Parents, under which comes educational resources, helpful forms and more. 

 

In past years for World Mental Health Day, the group has hosted “lunch and learns” on topics to help people. In 2017 it was “5 Tips to Overcome Attention Issues,” and in 2018 it was “5 Tips for a Stress- Free Life.” This year, the group plans to do something in person again to spread awareness about mental health and maintaining a drug-free life.

 

World Mental Health Day occurs each year on October 10^th.

 

CCHR has long been an advocate for human rights, especially as relates to patients’ rights in the field of mental health. At CCHRNashville.org/Report-Abuse, it states, “If you or anyone you know has been harmed or damaged by psychiatric or mental health “treatment,” please fill out the form below or download a report form (pdf) (Word doc) and mail it in.”

 

One of the many virtual resources CCHR has to offer are 30 second public service messages as well as full-length documentaries aimed at informing people of the dangers of psychiatric drugs and other methods of treatment. According to CCHR.org, “Posing as ’authorities,’ their pseudoscience now woven through our educational systems and medical institutions, psychiatrists wreak havoc across the entire social fabric, by prescribing a smorgasbord of mind-altering drugs to adults and children. These drugs are so dangerous that government authorities have issued ‘black box’ warnings of mania, hostility, suicide, stroke and sudden death. Add to that the tens of thousands of documented cases of psychiatric drug-induced violence. Think psychiatry has nothing to do with you? Think again.”

 

CCHR is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious mental health watchdog. Its mission is to eradicate abuses committed under the guise of mental health and enact patient and consumer protections. CCHR receives reports about abuses in the field of mental health and is especially interested in situations where persons experienced abuse or damage due to a false diagnosis or unwanted and harmful psychiatric treatments, such as psychiatric drugs, electroshock (ECT) and electronic or magnetic brain stimulation (TMS). CCHR is often able to assist with filing complaints, and can work with a person’s attorney to further investigate the case. To contact CCHR Nashville for more information, visit cchrnashville.org.  

Human Rights Day Committee Calls for Nominations for 2021 Awards

 

The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place virtually on December 9^th. The planning committee for the event is now accepting nominations for the prestigious human rights awards.

 

Tennesseans will gather virtually on December 9^th to celebrate International Human Rights Day. During the event, leaders are acknowledged, and awards will go to human rights champions in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement.

 

The planning committee for the event has just announced on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tennesseehumanrights that nominations are now open and may be submitted at www.nashvillehumanrights.org/nominations.

 

Past award recipients have included Rev. Bill Barnes, John Seigenthaler, Rosetta Miller Perry, Avi Poster, Remziya Suleyman, Justin Jones and others. The complete list of honorees can be found at www.nashvillehumanrights.org/past-award-recipients/

 

A committee of human rights organizations, nonprofits, and advocates, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology, and others, work together each year to plan the event.

 

“Human Rights Day gives the community a chance to acknowledge advocates and leaders while also learning more about what human rights really mean for all people,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville.

 

The event will also have speakers, entertainment and various exhibits from human rights organizations. All information regarding the event can be found on the website www.nashvillehumanrights.org.  

 

Church of Scientology Nashville Holds ‘Peace in a Post-Pandemic World’ Event

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights spreads their message through educational tools, hard-hitting videos and inspirational messages.

 

 

The Church of Scientology Nashville in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights held the sixth Nashville Celebration of International Day of Peace in late September with a talk about what peace looks like after 2020.

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) has held an event for International Day of Peace for five years, only taking a break during 2020, each with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness.  During each of the past Peace Day events, a different human right has been the focus.

 

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program. This year the theme asked what does peace look like after all of the events of 2020?  

 

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

 

Tennessee United for Human Rights is the local chapter of United for Human Rights, an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its membership is comprised of individuals and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind, according to humanrights.com. Its purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite youth, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society.

 

For more information about United for Human Rights, go to www.humanrights.com, and for more information about Peace Day, visit tnuhr.org.

Nashville Religion Communicators to Hear from American Red Cross

 The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

 

 

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

 

The October meeting will feature a speaker from the American Red Cross who will speak to best practices in fundraising and engaging volunteers.

 

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development.

 

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

Tennessee Human Rights Day Planning Begins for 2021

 With the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights issues have come to light in ways that could not have been foreseen. Whether you’re reading about fair housing, racial disparities or gender equality, these are all human rights issues. To bring increased awareness and education on human rights to the public, a celebration for Human Rights Day takes place each December in Nashville, Tenn.

 

On this day, Tennesseans celebrate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations, originally signed on Dec 10, 1948. It is always an event with a message of hope for the future, respect for the past, and looking at what it will take to change human rights abuses in the present.

 

“Human Rights Day means acknowledging leaders while encouraging others to take up the torch for the future,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology. The celebration will take place in a virtual setting for the second time.          

 

The celebration centers around the Human Rights Lifetime Achievement awards, the Rising Advocate Awards, and the Outstanding Service Award. Last year, Rising Advocate Awards were given to three individuals who have made great strides for human rights and show even greater promise for the future.

 

The committee plans to feature many different human rights organizations during this year’s celebration, especially government agencies and non-profit organizations in Tennessee that have commitments to some part of the thirty rights as laid out in the UDHR. Organizations who wish to participate in the planning may contact the organizer through www.nashvillehumanrights.org.

Nashville Religion Communicators Learn about Young People’s Call to Serve

 The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

 

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly at rotating locations to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

 

The September meeting featured a discussion on how young people are called to faith. Key data was shared to answer questions such as: Are there struggles young people have regarding calls to serve that we need to address? And which key phrases, ideas, and concerns shape the way young people think about call?

 

Research was presented from a study among young people 14 to 20 years old who are already somewhat active in their faith tradition about their perspectives on hearing a call from God.

 

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising and development.

 

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter.

 

Scientology Nashville Volunteer Ministers Continue Local Flood Relief in Waverly

 The Nashville Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers are active when disasters strike to help rebuild and recover.

 

 

The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response is active alongside volunteers from churches, neighborhood groups and community organizations to provide help and relief to those affected by the Waverly flood that killed 20 people and destroyed more than 240 homes.

 

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are continuing to work alongside other groups to rebuild and bring succor to those affected in Waverly, Tenn.

 

One volunteer described how “…the rains have now been replaced by 90-degree weather as crews work in the heat to remove debris and clean up decimated sites.”

 

Compassion Church in Waverly, Tenn., has become a hub for volunteer activity with an abundance of food and supplies, but still needs extra hands to help distribute to those in need. The Scientology Volunteer Ministers were among those able to get right to work, distributing food and supplies to residents who lived near Trace Creek, and begin clearing out debris from damaged homes.

 

The Church of Scientology Volunteers Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities. The Church provides free online training on the Volunteer Ministers website.

 

The Volunteer Minister program was expressly intended for use by Scientologists and non- Scientologists alike. Transcending all ethnic, cultural and religious boundaries, the Volunteer Ministers program is there for anyone in need of help. Volunteer Minister training is available free of charge through the Scientology Volunteer Minister website to anyone who wishes to help others, at www.volunteerministers.org.

Drug-Free Tennessee Holds International Overdose Awareness Day Event

 

Drug-Free Tennessee has a mission to educate people on the dangers of drug abuse.

 

Recently released data by the CDC show that drug overdose deaths reached a record high of 93,331 in 2020. That’s more than 20,000 deaths above the previous high in 2019 and the largest single-year percentage increase on record since 1999.

 

Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) has long warned youth and adults alike on the dangers of drug abuse, and recently an event was held for International Overdose Awareness Day with special guest speaker Michael Deleon, founder of Steered Straight.  

 

International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Melbourne. Since 2001, many community members as well as government and non-government organizations have held events to raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose. According to OverdoseDay.org, “International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.”

 

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit working to help educate people on the dangers of drugs through a multimedia campaign.

 

During the event, Deleon told his story and walked the audience through drug statistics and how COVID has affected the overdose rates. He spoke on the efficacy of the Truth About Drugs program and materials, and thanked those who had contributed to it. He emphasized the one true answer to the drug problem is education. 

 

Resources are available free of charge through drugfreeworld.org, including downloadable Truth About Drugs booklet, which cover all basic side effects of drugs, common street names, and how to recognize when you are being persuaded by a dealer. DFT also has a range of award winning Public Service Announcements and an award winning feature length documentary detailing the dangers of drugs and addiction. To learn more or to order booklets or view the videos, visit drugfreetn.org and drugfreeworld.org.