There's a couple petitions on change.org - one in the US and one in the UK petitioning to ban Halloween costumes that are offensive and stigmatizing to people with mental illness. One of the costumes is called "Gone Mental" and it's a costume with blood spatter on it and a straight jacket type thing. Other names for some of the costumes are "Happy Hill Asylum" and "Psycho Ward".

What do you think?

As for me, I'm on the fence. I can totally understand how some people could be offended by them. And I definitely see how it can perpetuate stigma.
One person said, "You wouldn't let your kid dress up as someone with downs syndrome, would you?" Point taken.

Here's the link if you want to sign it for the one in the US:
https://www.change.org/p/amazon-com-...edium=copyLink

As for Halloween costumes, last year I was "Mommy Dearest" from the famous 'wire hanger' scene. This year I'm going to be dressed in all black with a black trench coat and some kind of mask, carrying around a baseball bat.

How bout you?

[CopperStar]

I'm not personally bothered by such costumes, but I can also understand why some people would be. I tend to have a darker sense of humor, and I just find it humorous when ignorant people think we are scary. I can hardly resist messing with people like that, honestly.

As distasteful as people can be, they have the right to express themselves. For a group to try to control other people according to what they think is also distasteful.

Interesting topic. I think for I don't really care either way personally however. My idea here is that people are going to do what they want regardless. We can't police people for a Halloween costume it seems a little excessive.

[Nammu]

Things like this are hard for me. On one hand I get why it would be stigmatizing but on the other I make a lot of jokes about such things too.

For whatever reason it makes me think of Harry Potter. The part where they are afraid to say Lord Voldermarts name....that just gives the name more power. I grew up in a time when people whispered about mental illness and carted people off to sanatoriums. I think there's something a lot more freeing to at least bring it out of the dark, even if it's in the form of costumes. Lots of people have cross dressed on Halloween I think that's pretty acceptable. For myself I think it goes too far trying to censor other people.

[WibblyWobbly]

I think I'll go as a battery. Cuz I'm bipolar.

[*Laurie*]

I find such costumes offensive and ignorant.

[Shadesofdark]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I find such costumes offensive and ignorant.

The costumes have no say in the matter. I find the people that wear them offensive and ignorant.

On the other hand, if the 'costume police' arrested everyone that wore a controversial costume, there would not be many people left to celebrate, and they would all be wearing Disney costumes.

[Christopher1990]

okay Happy Hill Assylum, Gone Mental, Psyco Ward.. hah..

im not offended easily, but yes this would offend the hell out of me. its disrespectful.. theres nothing funny about it. its on the parents though.

I mean, people dress up as murderers.. its holloween. Let the kids be..

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Row Jimmy]

I think a big part of the problem is that this sort of stuff continues to be perpetuated and supported by the movies put out by Hollywood. We can name hundreds of "psycho" films. Society is desensitized of a lot of things these days.

On a lighter note, I'm more offended by the Hot Dog Mafia. I mean......I can buy eight hot dogs but only six rolls. What a racket!

[~Christina]

Life is full of things that are going to offend people. I seriously pick and chose what to get my panties in a wad over.. Costumes? Nope? sorry thats not even on my radar Its a costume..

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by Row Jimmy

I think a big part of the problem is that this sort of stuff continues to be perpetuated and supported by the movies put out by Hollywood. We can name hundreds of "psycho" films. Society is desensitized of a lot of things these days.

On a lighter note, I'm more offended by the Hot Dog Mafia. I mean......I can buy eight hot dogs but only six rolls. What a racket!

Silly guy...two extra hot dogs are for your four footed friends..🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾😻🐩🐕🐻🐺🐶🐜. 👽

[Homeira]

Originally Posted by WibblyWobbly

I think I'll go as a battery. Cuz I'm bipolar.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Shadesofdark

The costumes have no say in the matter. I find the people that wear them offensive and ignorant.

Yeah, well, I mean the people wearing the costumes are ignorant. The costumes are offensive.

[bugbear83]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Life is full of things that are going to offend people. I seriously pick and chose what to get my panties in a wad over.. Costumes? Nope? sorry thats not even on my radar Its a costume..

My thoughts exactly~

[Homeira]

Never been confronted with that situation. Sometimes living in another country with no Halloween is a blessing... But I migth have felt a little hint of sadness, like "oh, if they only knew"... But I think mostly I would have taken it as a silly costume. Depends how far the wearer of the costume took the act. When I see comedians making fun of MI, it sometimes bothers me. I usually think to myself; - really, really, that is the best joke you could think of?!