Charles Curie: A Leader in Restraint Reduction/Elimination

As Commissioner of Mental Health in Pennsylvania, Charles Curie pioneered the restraint and seclusion reduction movement over 20 years ago. He focused on adult state hospitals. Curie and his staff began each day with a top-down review of all restraints and seclusions and made it a sentinel event.  "Like a cardiac arrest, a big deal you want to avoid in the future," Dr. Janice LeBel noted as she recalled Mr. Curie's pioneering work in restraint and seclusion reduction before taking his championing spirit to SAMHSA.