Time to Change has commented following a number of offensive Halloween attractions and products that add to the stigma and discrimination that surrounds mental health problems.

Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma programme run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, said:

"Halloween is a great opportunity to enjoy some scary fun. However, this year we've been made aware of a number of Halloween attractions which are using 'mental patient' themes, fuelling the deep rooted misconceptions that still surround mental illness.
 

"Imagine how you'd feel if you, or a member of your family, had just been in a psychiatric hospital and were enjoying a fun day out, only to be faced with this type of 'entertainment'?

"We are finally starting to see attitudes change and there is a shift in the public mood. What these 'attractions' highlight is that there is still work to be done in tackling mental health stigma and discrimination and we'd encourage people to challenge these outdated stereotypes that only serve to reinforce negative views of those who experience mental health problems by complaining directly to the companies concerned to share their views.

"Hopefully the days of this kind of 'entertainment' are numbered."