Halloween Scares Mental Health Advocates

[The Interpreter]

Paramount's Kings Island told these peeps, who complained about Psychopath, to, in effect, take a hike:

Halloween scares mental health advocates

Bonnie Miller Rubin

Chicago Tribune

Oct. 21, 2006 12:00 AM

With the Halloween season under way, mental health advocates have a simple request:

Scare people with ghouls and goblins. Fill your haunted house with trap doors and tombstones. But leave out the "psychiatric wards," the "insane asylums" and the bloodthirsty killers in straitjackets.

Such themes, which have become as much a part of Halloween as pumpkins, reinforce negative stereotypes and a stigma that discourages people from seeking treatment, say activists who wage a yearly fight to remove the images from holiday events.

"It's our annual Halloween horror cycle," said Bob Carolla, spokesman for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. "The cases vary by size and level of offensiveness, but for some reason, this year has been worse than most."

So far, word of about 10 particularly egregious attractions has reached the Arlington, Va., organization.

The group's protests have had some effect. The Wheaton, Ill., Jaycees last week scrambled to change the theme of their haunted house from "Insanitarium" to something more generic. They retooled an "electroshock therapy" scene into an electric chair; posters and ads touting the theme were quickly pulled; and apologies were issued.

Others have not been as receptive, including organizers of an asylum-theme house in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Paramount's Kings Island, a popular amusement park outside Cincinnati that is touting its "PsychoPath," an outdoor trail of fright.

In Provo, Utah, a newspaper recently ran an impassioned editorial to "Bring Back Haunted Castle," a seasonal fixture at a state hospital that used actual patients as performers before being shuttered almost a decade ago.

"A far more evil force cast the monsters out - political correctness," wrote the Daily Herald, noting that proceeds benefited the patients' recreation fund.

Most readers who responded were in favor of resurrecting the attraction, despite a NAMI drive "to sway the vote," according to editorial page editor Donald Meyers.

Some observers attribute the connection between the scary holiday and psychiatric disorders to the popularity of the 1978 movie Halloween, in which an escaped killer, institutionalized since childhood, goes on a violent rampage. Others say such imagery goes back to medieval times.

Whatever the reason, the depictions are harmful, activists say. Criticizing such themes isn't about being humor-impaired, but about calling attention to a public health issue, they say.

According to a U.S. Surgeon General report, stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to mental health care. Next month, several groups - including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - will launch the first national campaign to stamp out stereotypes that rarely extend to other ailments.

"It's hard to imagine a cancer patient losing her wig as a source of amusement for patrons," Carolla said.

NAMI regularly sends a "Stigmabusters" alert that flags hurtful representations of brain-based disorders to 20,000 subscribers. Many such instances arise out of ignorance, not maliciousness, NAMI says, and members hope to change attitudes by contacting the offenders.

Halloween may be the biggest nightmare for advocates, but deflecting jabs at the mentally ill requires year-round vigilance.

Targets of complaints have ranged from Nestle USA (for Tangy Taffy flavors such as "Psycho Sam") to the Vermont Teddy Bear Co. (makers of a straitjacketed "Crazy for You" cub for Valentine's Day).

The headline a New Jersey newspaper put on a 2002 story about a fire in a psychiatric hospital - "Roasted Nuts" - was "particularly unfortunate," Carolla said. But it also resulted in a series on mental health topics the following year.

After the Wheaton Jaycees heard from NAMI about the group's Halloween "Insanitarium," they quickly took action to change the theme.

"Once we realized that there was a public outcry, we did what had to be done," said Lori Ortolano, a spokeswoman for the Jaycees. "There was never any question."

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/a...mental1021.html

[Gordon Bombay]

I can see these people's point, but anyone who thinks a mental institution is like that now is a complete idiot. But unfortuanently thats the way the world is and people get their impressions from things like these and will be stupid and assume this is what mental treatmetn centers are like. However, they're not anymore, so instead of whining to stop the attractions why dont they spend those efforts promoting how beneficial psychiatric treatment is these days for those who need it? Im glad the park for once didnt fear the bad press, although sometimes its always in their best interest to, this new attitude reminds me of how the other CF guest relations attitudes are, not always guest friendly. However I'll applaud the park for keeping up the attraction and I think that group, instead of comlaiing, should re-driect their forces to promote their cause in a beter way. How far are they gonna next? Remove one flew over the cuckoos nest from all the video stores, book stores, and librarys? There will always be negative and wrong images of things in life, its human nature to create them, they're wasting theyre time trying to defeat that, instead they should re focus their efforts and promote the benefits and good that comes from modern day psychiatric treatment.

[WooferBearATL]

They very much have a point.

I agree that we should not be attempting to further stigmatize folk.

[PKIDelirium]

Ugh, more complaining over halloween attractions not being "politically correct"?

I see something like this every year, it's really stupid.

[CoastersRZ]

Yes, they do have a point. But where do we draw the line? If people want everything portrayed realistically, then will people start demanding that science fiction shows and CSI type shows be taken off the air because they don`t portray actual events. Granted, these are slightly different issues than the one at hand. People need to learn when to put their efforts into a more worthwhile cause. Just like the group that got mad at SFKK claiming child abuse from their cock roach eating promotion.

What it comes down to is reality verses fantasy. Kings Island will use the argument that its haunts are fantasy and that the paying general public is smart enough to understand that it is fantasy and meant for their entertainment and not an actual protrayal of mental health institutes. Ultimately, it comes down to the blurring of the line between reality and fantasy. The level of detail in some of the haunts make them seem real to the guests, who will mistakingly believe they accurately portray actual mental health institutes. That there is the issue this group has.

Quite frankly, I think it is relatively obvious that these haunts are in no way trying to portray actual mental health institutes. Yes, there is the Asylum, which is perhaps the most closely related to an actual mental health institute, but other than the name and some of the scaractors, does not try to portray an institute. Also, the maze in question, Psycho Path, other than the name, there is nothing really in question with the portrayal in that haunt.

[Avatar]

If someone you know and care about starts to get the symptoms of various types of mental illness you are going to be very glad that NAMI exists. I know they have helped me and my family personally. When a loved one goes into a treatment center the families are scared and have most likely went through Hell on Earth with the affected family member. The doctors will only treat the patient and now because of HIPPA, they are limited in giving out information. NAMI reaches out to the families with hugs, listens, instruct family members and the best help of all they educate the families on the real facts on the illness and also offer support groups to meet in various centers with volunteers to mentor and the types of support groups they offer are for the children of, parents of, various family members of and the spouses of a affected consumer. They also offer support and help with a person suffering from mental illness (they call a consumer). I can tell you it really hurts every time someone uses mental illness falsely to try to explain their actions or the worst is when they point out some ones condition as to say they cant be reliable (that would be stereotyping). NAMI also teaches police officers around the country on how to help a very scared consumer acting out. They also teach and train Court personnel, Church Ministers, Jail staff and school personnel. NAMI is a non-for -Profit organization led by mostly volunteers who seek community donations for this keep it in the dark type of work. They are asked to help Law makers in a advisory role to help them fund and to help them understand what the needs are so that they can see how 1 single consumer affects so many people around them. Busting the Mental Illness Stereotype is only one area that they try to educate the general public and in this instance it is working for them because they have now just educated a large number people. This illness lives in my home and I deal with it day by day and through NAMI education I have set a reasonable understanding for all in my home that there are rules and consequences for each of us regarding this matter. I tried hide this problem in my family for a while in fear that no one would believe me when I would tell them what was happening. Then when we had no choice but to seek help. NAMI was there for me and when I went and talked to other fellow NAMI participants I cried and I do mean really broke down when I found out that I was not the only one was experiencing problems from a consumer, at that moment I no longer felt alone. We have been healing ever since then.

NAMI webpage

I am proud to say that I am a NAMI member.

[KIBeast]

Don't even want to touch this one with a forty foot pole.

I don't think using insane people stigmatizes an asylum. Usually, in the case of these attractions, it is an insane aslylum gone awry. It's not a reflection of those facilities that are on par.

[Avatar]

PLEASE FOR ME READ ALL THE WAY TO THE END.

Thanks Avatar

.I for one am glad that this thread was started and no one should be afraid to talk about this issue or give their opinion about it. I can almost guarantee that most people who have or know someone who has mental illness would rather have an opportunity to enlighten the genial public of the wild myths that surround the issue. NAMI doesn’t want to take away fun activities from people and you will never see them engaging in protest or any other kind of civil disobedience. But they will try to educate Government, Business and the general public at times that they may be a little insensitive to an issue that they may not been aware that they are doing. The Jaycees didn’t mean any harm and I don’t think they made anybody mad; I do though applaud them for caring enough to make some changes to some areas of their event that really was a classy act on their part.

I would say that about 90+ % of mental consumers are only medicated and are living semi normal lives. A lot of consumers carry out very normal lives and work regular and professional jobs. It’s when they stop tacking their medications that they lose control and are often times paranoid. When they are in this state they truly can’t control their actions, but have said that they are educated and preached to that they are responsible if they knowingly stop taking their medications with the knowledge that they could lose control because of it.

So now understand that a lot of consumers have gone to treatment centers while not being medicated. They are very scared they are mad and they are extremely paranoid. They only have a general perception of where they are going and Hollywood has helped a more scary image of it They really only get minimal treatment and very little education from the Medical Centers, then they are referred to outside assistance. So let’s fast forward a little. The consumer is taking his medications and not had any relapses in years. They attend an event and part of it portrays the illness in a scary manor that really forces them into flash backs of an very trying time in their life and from my personal experience it’s at best an awkward moment. No one I have met or talked to get upsets or angry about the events but just wished that more people realized how many affected people (consumers & non-consumers) are passing by with hurt in their hearts.

Please understand that there are millions of consumers in the United States and they live, work and play right beside us. Nobody really talks about it and the consumers and the families of consumer often conceal it to others out of fear. Most people have no clue how wide spread this is, just look around it is right there, but we don’t like to talk about it. NAMI has given me such great hope that I try were I can to help make everyone more aware. Because of my openness a lot of people have contacted me to get help, show support or to share a personal story with me.

[KIBeast]

I see what you are saying, but it still makes this an issue of being politically correct. Soon, no one can portray anything in any kind of bad light because somewhere someone will have their feelings hurt. I'm not trying to be callous, but where does this end?

If you really want to find a group of people who are truly not respected in society, it's obese people. It seems to be ok to make fat jokes and generally make fun of them. Look at the character Fat ******* from Austin Powers as a perfect example of society making it acceptable to make fun of obese people. Next, all clowns will be protesting because there's another character used in haunted houses to scare people. But, other than people who have a true fear of clowns, when are clowns truly scary? How is it fair to portray them this way when I can never remember in history there ever being a serial killer who dresses in clown suits smattered with blood and gore. Now, Freddy Krueger will be banned because it may offend someone who is a burn victim. See where this is going?

[Avatar]

Yes I agree, I struggle a lot from were enough political correctness is to much. I personally don’t think the Mental Illness is a politically correct matter though, but more of a compassionate issue. It has definitely made me listen better to others plights. As a society when informed and educated on certain issues we may choose to alter or ways or we may feel to much innocents and traditions would be compromised to change. But we will be better off, at least be more aware of ourselves. I am to close to this issue to give a real unbiased opinion but I can at least give a point of view from one side of the issue and shine more light on the understanding of why NAMI is doing what they have been doing.

Thanks for your honest reply I appreciate it a lot.

[SOB_TOM]

Actually, funny this should be brought up.

This has been a debate in the Pagan community for some time. Halloween is the "Witches New Year," a celebration. And yet, you see witches plastered on walls because their broom ran wild, or a witch hexing those who come into a room.

This is completely false, however it has split the Pagan community in half: Those who embrace Halloween (like me), and those who think it should change.

[KIBeast]

I for one, can also agree with you Avatar. It's not an easy issue as it is for the most part when it comes to issues like these. It is difficult for me in that I can see both sides. And, when I stop and think about if it was an issue within my family, I'm not sure I wouldn't feel the same as you.

[beastfan11]

Can't there be one Holiday that we can enjoy without anyone getting all freaked out..... making me a bit flustered

[Avatar]

As long as everyone stays on their medications there will be no freaking out!!

[beastfan11]

^ LOL Nice