Today’s doctors are struggling to treat psychological problems and despite that, we are still using electroshock — even on children.

In 2003, Dr. Loren Mosher and Professor David Cohen wrote a brief paper, “The Ethics of Electroconvulsive Therapy.” Cohen starts by asking readers that if the first and foremost rule of the medical profession is to do no harm, then what are we doing promoting an ineffective procedure without the informed consent of patients?

Despite the FDA holding hearings on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), also known as electroshock therapy, and receiving thousands of adverse-reaction reports, the mental health industry continues to use ECT. The World Health Organization and the United Nations also recently concluded that ECT “is not recommended for children, and this should be prohibited through legislation.”

While our organization, Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), is currently supporting bills aimed to protect children in Florida, we are always calling for an outright ban on ECT and psychosurgery for anyone of any age. In order to achieve the prohibition of this barbaric procedure, we must realize that what we may have heard about ECT is not based on scientific fact; it is an incredibly dangerous practice that cannot be allowed to continue.