Asda sorry over pulled 'mental patient' Halloween costume

Asda has apologised for advertising a blood-splattered “mental patient” Halloween costume which caused controversy.

10:37 26 September 2013

Asda issued an apology after it advertised a mental patient Halloween costume including a machete and blood-stained straitjacket for £20.

Several people have expressed their disgust including ex-footballer Stan Collymore who was known to battle depression. He took to Twitter and wrote: "Dear ASDA, nice stereotype of 'Mental patients'.

"Do you actually realise how many people are hanging themselves because of the stigma?"

 

Meanwhile, Kate Dalton of mental health charity Gofal said that the costume was “disgraceful.”

Asda was quick to issue an apology saying that it was an unacceptable error. It added that it will donate to mental health charity Mind. It also said that the product in question was immediately withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Sue Baker, a campaigner for mental health charity Mind, said that Asda has crossed the line while speaking to BBC Radio 4 Today programme. She explained: "Nine out of 10 people using mental health services in patient care report stigma and discrimination from a range of sources.

"Stigma and discrimination is unfortunately still really damaging in England today and this kind of myth of the dangerousness posed by people, that you should be scared of anyone who has used mental health services, is really damaging.

"(Asda) certainly crossed the line here and I hear it might well have been changed with the addition of mental patient, so it was definitely being used to tap into negative stereotypes."