Among the major discoveries of modern social psychology is the simple principle that under specified conditions a bare minimum of social pressure can produce great attitude change. The most profound and enduring changes in attitude are generated when two conditions are present: first, the person perceives that he or she has free choice in deciding to behave in ways that are counter-normative or against one's values, beliefs, or motives; and second, the force applied to elicit this discrepant action is just barely sufficient in magnitude to accomplish the task (p. 207). Zimbardo contends that the real power of effective mind control is to be found in the basic needs of people to be loved, respected, recognized, and wanted (p. 208). Along with this idea is one of the plans of the Commission-to remove the stigma of mental illness. The stigma may be shifted to those who refuse screening and treatment for their children or themselves. Too Much Power to So-Called Experts Many people look to psychologists and psychiatrists as experts. One can see how much power has already been given to psychological and psychiatric experts in court hearings. How much more power may be given to the mental health profession with this mandate to screen and treat whoever is willing or can be made willing! Even though research has revealed psychotherapy's low level of help (modest at best) and its overall ability to harm, the psychological establishment has done a great job of convincing the public that psychological treatment is highly successful. And, in spite of the advertising hype about psych meds, some do no better than a placebo and they all have possible serious side effects. Mental health screening involves a great deal of subjectivity since there are no biological markers for most mental disorders. Nevertheless, adults who are identified as having a mental illness and children who are identified as having a serious emotional disturbance will be strongly encouraged into treatment. While this screening and treatment may be voluntary at first, doublespeak may already be in place as voluntary becomes mandatory through the language of incentives in the Commission's report. MindFreedom, a coalition of people who are concerned about involuntary mental health treatment (some of whom have experienced its horrors), has expressed grave concerns about the additional power that may be given to the mental health establishment and about the subsequent possibility of losing the freedoms they have gained <www.mindfreedom.org. Science or Religion? The language of the Report is filled with statements that would lead the reader to conclude that all of this is science and that it is helpful. However, thinking, feeling, and behaving primarily involve nonphysical aspects of personhood-the mind, soul, spirit, conscience, will, and emotion. The nonphysical mind, soul, and spirit are more than the brain and will continue to exist even after the physical organ dies. Indeed, these are matters of religion. While psychologists may superficially observe behavior, they must rely on human imagination and guesses when they attempt to understand the inner man (nonphysical) and direct how people should live. Nevertheless, the Commission, made up of mental health professionals and others who have faith in the mental health system, recommends a vast expansion of screening and providing services with the goal of greatly improving society. Family Rights Removed? Indeed, the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health truly believes that its recommendations will be of great benefit to individuals and society. However, if the plan is implemented, it will interfere with freedoms we have enjoyed in the United States, even though the Commission uses the words New Freedom in its _title_. As the system exerts pressure in implementing the screening and psychologizing, New Freedom will be revealed as psychological doublespeak. The plan is to screen as many people as possible. The public schools are the most obvious place to begin. And, here is where the government could very well interfere with the rights of parents to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Every child that is diagnosed with any disorder, along with his family, will come under the scrutiny and treatment
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