It’s Halloween season, that magical time when ghouls, goblins, and ghastly get-ups parade through neighbourhoods. But this year, instead of stirring a witch’s brew of fun, one costume stirred controversy. The “Insane Asylum Costume,” featuring a white straight jacket with a not-so-charming message, “Property of the County Mental Institution. Approach with caution,” found itself in the eye of a storm. Alas, what was meant to be a frightful delight was deemed frightfully offensive.
Psychologist Christina Farrell isn’t impressed. She points out the stark contrast between this costume and the modern narrative of mental health – a tale of understanding, empathy, and breaking down stigma. “Unfitting,” she labels it, likening it to mixing oil and water in a season meant to celebrate spirits, not stigmatize souls.
Mental health advocates at SANE Australia clamoured for the costume’s removal. With heavy hearts, they lamented the archaic language: “insane,” “crazed,” “out of control”—words that cut deeper than a vampire’s fangs. Luke Marshall of SANE took to LinkedIn to voice his disappointment. The reaction? Appalled shoppers commented in droves, echoing sentiments of disbelief that such a conversation is still necessary in 2024.
Big W sprang into action once feathers were ruffled, plucking the item from shelves and issuing an apology. They’ve opened dialogues with SANE to understand and align with their principles, learning that not all scares are fit for the spookiest day of the year. 👻
