Asda &#x27;mental patient&#x27; costume withdrawn from sale online

This is getting ridiculous.

Reply 3

It's disgusting they were allowed to have these in the first place.

Reply 4

Original post by Kiss

This is getting ridiculous.

I hope you mean it's ridiculous to stigmnatise and stereotype those with mental illnesses

Reply 5

05autyt

Makes me sick that they did this. So glad I quit a while ago. I'd have had to walk out then and there!

Reply 6

Original post by Tyrion_Lannister

I hope you mean it's ridiculous to stigmnatise and stereotype those with mental illnesses

Or maybe it's ridiculous to ban and censor things you disagree with.

Reply 7

theguv92

6

They should have known better, but then again we parody virtually every demographic we shouldn't at halloween - white guys black up, dress as paedophiles, Madeline McCann, Osama Bin Laden and other distasteful costumes.

Even so, with increased mental health awareness we all know that mental health patients are just normal people that look just like you and I, hence this costume is really more of a ridiculous stereotype rather than being particularly offensive. Just a bad PR move to allow it to be sold in a supermarket.

Reply 8

the bear

20

they should stop selling pirate eye patches as well... it is very offensive to people with one eye, not to mention victims of piracy.

Reply 9

05autyt

Original post by Kiss

Or maybe it's ridiculous to ban and censor things you disagree with.

You wouldn't be allowed to dress up as a muslim terrorist for Halloween because that is stigmatising a large group of people with a false impression. So why dress up as a 'metal health patient' looking like a murderer. There is enough stigma already without that. Its wrong.

Reply 10

NB_ide

14

1. No one cares
2. One person complains
3. EVERYONE CARES
4. Charities get a massive donation from the shops, more salaries secure for another year

Reply 11

Original post by 05autyt

You wouldn't be allowed to dress up as a muslim terrorist for Halloween because that is stigmatising a large group of people with a false impression. So why dress up as a 'metal health patient' looking like a murderer. There is enough stigma already without that. Its wrong.

Well to quote the top rate comments on the BBC article:

I have big bouts of depression - and should have been sectioned on occasions. I accept I suffer from mental health. So I should be in the group that is offended, shouldn't I?

I'm not. This has been blown out of all proportions. I may not agree with the commercialism of Halloween, but it's here to stay and I expect to see ghouls and zombies on the streets in coming weeks

Glad to see that while 'mental patient' outfits are deemed inappropriate, the entirely appropriate sexy schoolgirl outfits are still available! Sigh...

I see the "Professionally Offended" are out in force again.

Reply 12

Original post by Kiss

Or maybe it's ridiculous to ban and censor things you disagree with.

Something you disagree with, I agree with you. Something disgustingly offensive to a group of individuals that demonizes them is a different ballgame mate. Think about it, what if they'd had a sterotypical "black man" costume involving something that looked like this?

Or a homosexual costume that looked like this?

It's horrible

Reply 13

Original post by the bear

they should stop selling pirate eye patches as well... it is very offensive to people with one eye, not to mention victims of piracy.

Should stop selling zombie costumes since they are offensive to lobotomised individuals.

Reply 14

NB_ide

14

Original post by Tyrion_Lannister

Something you disagree with, I agree with you. Something disgustingly offensive to a group of individuals that demonizes them is a different ballgame mate. Think about it, what if they'd had a sterotypical "black man" costume involving something that looked like this?

Or a homosexual costume that looked like this?

It's horrible

I think it's best you don't go outside on Halloween, you may be in for a shock.

Reply 15

Original post by NB_ide

I think it's best you don't go outside on Halloween, you may be in for a shock.

The point is they don't sell them under the title "BLACK DUDE" or "GAY MALE"

Reply 16

DarkWhite

17

Original post by Kiss

Or maybe it's ridiculous to ban and censor things you disagree with.

It's not been banned or censored though; Asda have simply decided to respond to the views of their customers and other organisations and themselves have chosen to stop selling it.

I could understand if the government had passed a bill saying it's not allowed, or a campaign group had gone in, stolen them all, and burnt them so nobody can buy them, but if Asda wants to portray a particular image, it's not a ban or a censor to change what they're selling.

Reply 17

Genocidal

These mock outrage brigades must hate me then. One year I dressed up as Hannibal Lecter. It consisted of a mask and a white straightjacket. Quite similar in theme to the one they just pulled really.

Reply 18