On Saturday night’s Halloween-themed X Factor one contestant sang the song ‘Crazy’, with dancers who looked like they were in straitjackets. Kate Nightingale, Head of Communications at Time to Change, comments:

“It’s disappointing that in 2014, we can’t enjoy a bit of Halloween fun without it coming at the expense of people with mental health problems. What is truly scary is that a show as high profile as the X Factor is sending the message that people with mental health problems are to be feared.

Nine out of 10 people with mental health problems face stigma and discrimination as a result, and many say that how they’re treated by others is worse than the illness itself. So using the song ‘Crazy’ and depicting people in straitjackets as part of a Halloween-themed show is far from harmless fun. The X Factor is watched by millions and by implying that mental health problems are scary, it’s irresponsibly fuelling damaging myths and misconceptions which have a real impact on people’s lives.”