October 30th 2024.
One of the largest retail chains, Big W, has decided to remove an offensive Halloween costume from their shelves after facing backlash from a mental health advocacy group. The costume, called 'Insane Asylum', received criticism from SANE CEO Rachel Green, who took to LinkedIn to call out the harmful stereotypes perpetuated by such costumes. She urged all retailers to stop selling these products immediately.
In an interview with 9news.com.au, Green expressed her concern over the negative impact of these costumes on individuals with mental illness. She stated that it is unacceptable for such costumes to still be considered acceptable and sold in the community, as it further reinforces the stigma surrounding mental health. She also highlighted the impact of this stigma on individuals and their families.
Following the outcry from SANE, the organization released a press statement calling for major retailers to cease selling costumes that stereotype people with complex mental health issues. As a result, Big W confirmed that the 'Insane Asylum' costume was removed from sale as soon as they were made aware of the complaint. They also apologized for any harm caused and expressed their alignment with SANE's position and values.
However, Green believes that there are still similar offensive costumes available in other retailers both in-store and online. She hopes that this incident will spark a larger conversation about the harmful effects of such costumes and why they should not be sold.
Green also pointed out another offensive costume being sold at Spotlight, which has since been removed from their website. 9news.com.au has reached out to Spotlight for comment on the matter.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 40% of Australians aged 16-85 have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. Green emphasized that it is not acceptable to make fun of someone with a mental illness, drawing a comparison to cancer patient costumes and the horror it would create if such costumes were sold.
SANE is not trying to be the 'fun police', but rather, they are encouraging retailers and individuals to consider the message these costumes send to people living with mental health concerns, particularly those with complex mental illnesses that are heavily stigmatized. Green stated that approximately 6.5 million people in Australia are impacted by complex mental illness and it is not okay to turn that into a costume.
To further spread awareness, SANE has launched a social media campaign calling for retailers across the country to stop selling any costumes that stigmatize mental health. Similar efforts in the UK have resulted in major retailers like Tesco and Asda stopping the sale of similar Halloween outfits in the past.
SANE's efforts have also been supported by the fact that more and more individuals are becoming aware of the harmful effects of perpetuating mental health stereotypes. To stay updated on the latest breaking news, celebrity gossip, and sports updates, you can follow us on WhatsApp. Our channel ensures your privacy and no one can see your private details or leave any comments. Let's all work together to create a more inclusive and understanding society.
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