Protesters: Psycho Donut shop perpetuates stigma
May 12th, 2009
From the San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle Scavenger blog, NBC2 News, San Francisco:
Mental health advocates are protesting against the recently opened Psycho Donuts store in Campbell, California, saying it encourages stigma against people with mental illness.
The shop carries products with names like “Cereal Killer” and “Head Trauma” (above), served by people wearing white coats and stethoscopes. Owners say critics need to lighten up.
“There’s a fine line, I think, between having a sense of humor and not, and we’re really just looking at doing something that’s light-hearted and fun,” co-owner Jordan Zweigoron said. “It’s a misunderstanding.”
(Photo from San Francisco Chronicle blog)
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May 19th, 2009 at 12:41 am
I am grateful that you have made these statements. I just wish there was a petition to sign to force them to change the names of these donuts, the asylum theme and the mental illness, and tying all of those to mass murder and violence.
May 17th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
There is already enough stigma surrounding mental illness and I find the name of this store and it’s contents (which actually look pretty gross to me) very offensive. I know, let’s start a “Chillin with cancer” ice cream shop & see what people think. You could have bald nurses & people hooked up to fake IV’s of Chemo. Funny? Lighthearted? Obviously not. Mental illness is a debilitating disease, which causes many people to lose their loved ones, their freedom, and in worst cases their lives. If you or anyone you know suffers from a mental health issue then you should boycott this ridiculous store.