[Faline]

Supermarket chains Asda and Tesco have withdrawn Halloween costumes from sale following a barrage of criticism.

Asda's "mental patient fancy dress costume", which is designed to look like a blood-splattered straitjacket, was on sale for £20 through the supermarket's clothing arm George.

Many people took to Twitter to express their disgust at the description, including former footballer Stan Collymore - who has suffered well-documented problems with depression.

He wrote: "Dear ASDA, nice stereotype of "Mental patients". Something you'd expect from the ###. A f****** joke".

"Do you actually realise how many people are hanging themselves because of being frightened of the stigma? Wording is CLEAR. MENTAL PATIENT."

Charity Rethink Mental Illness posted on its Twitter account: "Hi @Asda please explain: 'Everyone will be running away from you in fear in this mental patient fancy dress'."

Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell also commented on the item on the social media website, writing: "Look what Asda's selling... what possesses these people?"

And MP Mike Thornton tweeted: "This is unbelievable!!"

Asda was quick to react to the criticism by confirming the Halloween costume had been withdrawn from sale.

The chain posted on its own Twitter account: "We're deeply sorry one of our fancy dress costumes has upset people. This was an unacceptable error - the product was withdrawn immediately."

Asda added: "We'd like to offer our sincere apologies for the offence it's caused and will be making a sizeable donation to @MindCharity."

Meanwhile, Tesco has also removed a costume called "Psycho Ward" from its shelves. It was described on the website as an orange jumpsuit with the word "committed" printed on the back.

A spokesperson said it was a response to feedback from customers and apologised for any offence caused.

The costumes were withdrawn as a new survey suggests more than 30,000 people with mental health problems die every year from preventable illnesses.

People with mental health problems are three times more likely to develop diabetes and twice as likely to die from heart disease, according to the new report from Rethink Mental Illness.

The report says mental health sufferers have higher rates of illness through side effects from medication, smoking and a lack of basic health checks.

They also make up 40% of the total smoking population but are less likely to receive support to quit.

[Faline]

I think the world has gone far too sensitive.

[DEWBZ]

something you would hear from the what?

[Drumstickshredder]

I dont find them offensive at all and I have depression...World is going soft.

[Sharon]

Originally Posted by Drumstickshredder ↗

I dont find them offensive at all and I have depression...World is going soft.

Likewise

How pathetic. Way to nanny-state these days

[banana dick]

millions of people suffer from debilitating mental illnesses. there is still a major stigma attached to it, and costumes like this do nothing but further perpetuate negative stereotypes. would it be ok to make offensive costumes depicting disfigured veterans? how about black people or people with AIDS? it is never ok to turn something as deadly as mental illness into a joke. especially not when people are already being discriminated against, belittled and portrayed as damaged because of them. the people have spoken and the consensus is that this is offensive.

anybody worth their weight in cat shit can see why things like this are problematic. that being said, it must be nice to live in a world where nothing touches you, and where you don't have experience being discriminated against for your entire life based on something that was never your fault. your desire for an OMG EDGY costume will never be more important than the rights of the mentally ill to be treated with respect and dignity. in short, get the fuck over it.

[Megamel29]

Originally Posted by banana dick ↗

millions of people suffer from debilitating mental illnesses. there is still a major stigma attached to it, and costumes like this do nothing but further perpetuate negative stereotypes. would it be ok to make offensive costumes depicting disfigured veterans? how about black people or people with AIDS? it is never ok to turn something as deadly as mental illness into a joke. especially not when people are already being discriminated against, belittled and portrayed as damaged because of them. the people have spoken and the consensus is that this is offensive.

anybody worth their weight in cat shit can see why things like this are problematic. that being said, it must be nice to live in a world where nothing touches you, and where you don't have experience being discriminated against for your entire life based on something that was never your fault. your desire for an OMG EDGY costume will never be more important than the rights of the mentally ill to be treated with respect and dignity. in short, get the fuck over it.

Has seeing a mental patient costume ever stopped someone from seeking mental help?

[Pyramid_Head]

Will our society stop being a bunch of pussy's? Since when the fuck are those offensive?

[spycosis]

Originally Posted by Kelly ↗

I think the world has gone far too sensitive.

You're right. The world has gone fucking mental. Let's hope Asda replace it with something tasteful like a cancer patient costume.

[Faline]

Originally Posted by spycosis ↗

You're right. The world has gone fucking mental. Let's hope Asda replace it with something tasteful like a cancer patient costume.