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Psycho Donuts' Mockery of Mental Illness is Not Funny
The United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF) is calling on Psycho Donuts to stop using mental health terms and themes to market their donuts. UACF sent the following letter to the San Jose Mercury News.
RE: “Protesters of Campbell's Psycho Donut shop focus on mental health issues in demonstration” published May 11.
As a person who has first-hand experience with mental illness and its devastating effects on the lives of those who suffer from the disease and their families, I am appalled at the use of mental health terms for commercialization sake by Psycho Donuts.
The inappropriate use of labels such as “bipolar,” “massive head trauma” and “manic malt” is cruel, insensitive and an affront to those who suffer from mental illness and their families. Many people do not seek help for their mental illness because of the stigma and mockery they face from the public.
Psycho Donuts’ ridiculing of mental illness is not funny… it is cruel and hurtful and serves to further the stigma associated with a physical brain disorder that is not a choice. Using mental health terms to promote a commercial enterprise keeps the stigma of mental illness alive. Psycho Donuts’ owners Kip Berdiansky and Jordan Zweigoron should consider this — Would making fun of individuals with physical disabilities or a specific race or religion be appropriate? We are hoping the owners do the right thing — stop the offensive use of mental health terms and themes to sell their products and offer an apology to those suffering from mental illness.
Sincerely,
Oscar Wright
Chief Executive Officer
United Advocates for Children and Families
As a person who has first-hand experience with mental illness and its devastating effects on the lives of those who suffer from the disease and their families, I am appalled at the use of mental health terms for commercialization sake by Psycho Donuts.
The inappropriate use of labels such as “bipolar,” “massive head trauma” and “manic malt” is cruel, insensitive and an affront to those who suffer from mental illness and their families. Many people do not seek help for their mental illness because of the stigma and mockery they face from the public.
Psycho Donuts’ ridiculing of mental illness is not funny… it is cruel and hurtful and serves to further the stigma associated with a physical brain disorder that is not a choice. Using mental health terms to promote a commercial enterprise keeps the stigma of mental illness alive. Psycho Donuts’ owners Kip Berdiansky and Jordan Zweigoron should consider this — Would making fun of individuals with physical disabilities or a specific race or religion be appropriate? We are hoping the owners do the right thing — stop the offensive use of mental health terms and themes to sell their products and offer an apology to those suffering from mental illness.
Sincerely,
Oscar Wright
Chief Executive Officer
United Advocates for Children and Families
For more information:
http://www.uacf4hope.org/
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its NOT a ''brain disorder''! they psh that description to force deadly drugs on people! thats no better than what this donut place does.dont assume everyone has a physical ''brain disorder'' That can lead to deadly drugs! i kbnow,i was nearly killed!
Psycho Donuts doesn't make fun of anyone with mental illness; it merely is part of a long, long tradition of using Bad Things as a metaphor for their products. Try dropping into a hot sauce shop, for example ... you'll see any number of sauces whose names and labels feature all sorts of physical damage being inflicted on people. Is that "hurtful" to burn victims, or the families of those who were killed in explosions? Heck, there are any number of sauces that reference mental illness, like Dave's Insanity Sauce.
It's pathetic that people feel the need to take their personal issues out on a simple donut shop.
It's pathetic that people feel the need to take their personal issues out on a simple donut shop.
It is not JUST a donut shop, but one that stands to make a financial gain from others misfortune.
Is it true we've given up the fight?
http://psychodonuts.blogspot.com/
Why aren't we agreeing to debate these scumballs on TV ?????
http://psychodonuts.blogspot.com/
Why aren't we agreeing to debate these scumballs on TV ?????
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