NewsHalloween uk newsMental Health

Asda Isn't Alone: The Disturbing Halloween Costumes That Mock Mental Health

Asda Isn't Alone: The Disturbing Halloween Costumes That Mock Mental Health
Charlotte Meredith
|
Open Image Modal
joke.co.uk

Asda has faced a furious backlash after it advertised a fancy dress outfit featuring someone covered in blood and brandishing a machete as a "mental patient fancy dress costume".

Following outrage on social media sites, including from one "stunned" mental health charity, the store offered "sincere apologies for the offence it has caused".

READ MORE:

#MentalPatient Campaign Aims To Reverse Stigma After Uproar Over Halloween Costumes

The Huffington Post UK investigated whether Asda were alone in their tasteless portrayal of mental health patients...

Asda Isn't Alone: The Disturbing Halloween Costumes That Mock Mental Health
'Women's Mental Patient Costume'(01 of07)
Open Image Modal
This 'Women's Mental Patient Costume' from joke.co.uk depicts a ghostly figure in a torn night-dress and heavy make-up. Quite how this represents someone suffering from poor mental health is unclear, but the website helpfully includes a hospital wristband to clarify the theme.
'Psychopath Crazy Mental Child Costume'(02 of07)
Open Image Modal
Why not get the kids involved too?
'Goin Out Of My Mind Costume'(03 of07)
Open Image Modal
The three-piece, Goin' Out Of My Mind costume includes a blood splattered, stretch bengaline, two-way zip front dress with elongated straight jacket sleeves, adjustable buckles with uneven hemline, matching hat with "mental ward" detail and faux blood and latex wounds.
'Insane Jane Adult Womens Costume'(04 of07)
Open Image Modal
"Sexy" versions of perfectly normal things (sexy cat, sexy bunny, sexy lumberjack etc. etc.) always crop up at Halloween, but a "sexy" mental patient costume reaches a whole new level of just plain wrong.
'Insane Asylum Adult Mens Costume'(05 of07)
Open Image Modal
Asda, owned by US firm Walmart, has been forced to apologise in a series of tweets after selling a similar 'Mental Patient Costume'.
'Adult Happy Hill Asylum Mental Patient Costume'(06 of07)
Open Image Modal
Mental health charities have responded furiously to the depiction of mental health patients as being something to fear.
'Anna Rexia Costume'(07 of07)
Open Image Modal
It’s hard to imagine a deadly disorder being translated into a Halloween costume, let alone a sexy Halloween costume. Just when you thought it couldn't get any more inappropriate, the Anna Rexia costume features a black bodysuit style dress with a glittery, silk-screened skeleton print, bone headband, heart name tag, measuring tape ribbon belt, and the most shocking accessory of all - a matching measuring tape choker. Luckily it was swiftly pulled.
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip