Retailers still selling straitjacket costumes that mock mental illness
Straitjacket Halloween costumes sold by major retailers mock people with mental illness, say mental health advocates.
Mental health advocates are pushing retailers to stop selling straitjacket Halloween costumes. Bunnings and Big W have already pulled the Rubie's Insane Asylum outfit from sale.
Spotlight removed similar costumes in 2024 but has listed them again this year. Kmart and Amazon still sell the costume online.
SANE CEO Rachel Green said straitjackets are offensive and harmful. People with mental illness say the costumes reinforce wrong ideas and stereotypes.
Green said it's wrong for businesses to support mental health while earning money from stigmatising products.
- Kmart, Amazon
- Retailers still selling
- Bunnings, Big W
- Retailers removed it
- Rubie's Insane Asylum costume
- Product
- Rachel Green
- SANE CEO
Why it mattersCostumes that mock mental illness deepen stigma and discourage people from seeking the help they need.
AustraliaAustralian retailers are selling costumes that mental health advocates say reinforce harmful stereotypes about Australians living with mental illness.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
