Posted by psych chat on October 18, 2009, at 12:55:19
Does anyone else here think this is f-ed up, or is it just me? I don't think this is funny at all...I don't understand how so many people could go along with this to begin with. The store employees, owner, manager...
NAMI California Voices Outrage At Thoughtless Entrepreneurs
Donut company reinforces stigma and sterotypes, insulting consumers and families.
From NAMI California by Staff Writer, April 7, 2009NAMI California has voiced its opposition to pastry shop operators in Campbell who are marketing "Psycho Donuts" in an effort to drum up business by fortifying a discriminatory stigma against people with mental illness and their families. The shop owners, according to their website, have "taken the neighborhood donut and put it on medication, and given it shock treatment."
The donuts are served by women wearing nurses uniforms and children patrons are encouraged to sit in a "padded cell" for photographs while wearing a straightjacket.
"This is the most egregious example of negligent consumerism that continues to promote stereotypes and discrimination in our society," said NAMI California Director Grace McAndrews. "You don't see malt shops called the "Heart Attack Café" or tobacco shops called "Cancer Time". When you stigmatize mental illness and shame consumers, those that need help are too afraid to seek it. And then people die."
The donut shop offers products called Psycho, the Bipolar, Massive Head Trauma, and the Cracker Attacker. "When you consider the number of American troops returning from combat, with record numbers of suicides due to massive head trauma, it's not a funny thing," McAndrews added. "Ask a soldier how he feels about that donut."
The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) has already lodged a complaint with state representatives and public agencies. "We believe that this type of branding is exactly what the stigma and discrimination activities of the MHSA were intended to combat," said CFILC Executive Director Teresa Favuzzi.
According to the Mayo Clinic, stigmas exist because people believe mental illness is "not the same as a medical or physical illness". People discriminate against consumers, believing that biological or environmental conditions are "all in their heads", assuming that people choose to remain ill, or are simply weak and lazy.
Consequently, under the lash of stigma, sufferers refuse diagnosis or treatment, fearing loss of jobs or family, pretending as if nothing is wrong, or are subject to housing discrimination and harassment. Only last year did Congress pass legislation ensuring that health insurance for people suffering from mental illness is offered in parity with coverage for individuals for other health ailments and diseases.
For years, NAMI has led the way in the fight against harmful stereotypes and stigma.
"To simply say that the owners of this donut shop are ignorant doesn't do justice to the irreparable harms they cause when they train young people to laugh at those who suffer," McAndrews added. "Mental illness is not something to joke about in the name of cheap fat and sugar."
Source: NAMI California
poster:psych chat
thread:921400
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20090930/msgs/921400.html