Doctors' Coalition Against Electroconvulsive Therapy

ECT is a harmful procedure that is not a true therapy.

The World Health Organization's Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation states: “There are no indications for the use of ECT on minors, and hence this should be prohibited through legislation.” Four U.S. states and Western Australia have already banned ECT for those up to the ages of 12–16.

“WHO Resource Book on Mental Health, Human Rights and Legislation,” World Health Organization, 2005, p. 64.

ECT is being performed on over 100,000 people per year in the USA, including on young children — some aged 5 and younger.

This and related procedures are unnecessary in humane healthcare.

Who We Are

Concerned doctors, united against ECT

In response to the FDA's “Final Rule” on electroconvulsive therapy in December 2018 — enabling its greater use without ensuring clinical trials proving the ECT device is safe and effective — concerned doctors and other healthcare professionals established a coalition to oppose the use of ECT as a practice that is contrary to the Hippocratic Oath to “First Do No Harm.”

Mission Statement

“We, the listed health care industry professionals and members of Doctors' Coalition Against Electroconvulsive Therapy believe that electroconvulsive therapy and similar procedures are physically and mentally harmful to patients and should be legally prohibited from being used on any patient.”

Our Goal

Electroconvulsive therapy and similar harmful procedures no longer performed in the mental health care system.

Our Purpose

The protection of the public from the harmful practice of ECT and related procedures.
The true following of Hippocrates' principle of “First do no harm.”
To have doctors and governments comply with Article 5 of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights — “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” — and the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the UN Human Rights Council that governments recognize forced psychiatric treatment, including ECT, as “practices constituting torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
To support legislation that prohibits the use of ECT as a harmful and unnecessary practice.

Take Action

You can do something about it

Here are some of the ways that you can help:

Become a member of the Coalition.
Send this link and a request to other responsible health care professionals to join this cause.
If possible, be available to speak with state legislators about this subject. We will coordinate this effort with those willing to do so. We understand that this is not for everyone — just having you as a member will be of value and appreciated.
We will notify you of any legislation regarding this issue that you can write to support or oppose.
Provide an expertise or article that can be posted on this site for other healthcare professionals to be educated on and support this cause.

If you have any questions you may contact Alfred Garbutt, Co-Director, at [email protected].

Join the Coalition

Add your name

Choose the membership that applies to you. Your information is kept secure and used only as described on each form.

Health Professional Membership

For doctors, nurses and other licensed health care professionals who oppose the use of ECT.

Join as a Health Professional

Non-Health Professional Membership

For concerned members of the public who support banning this harmful practice.

Join as a Concerned Member