October 20, 2009


HELP FIGHT STIGMA IN OUR OWN BACKYARD

The Red Mill Museum in Clinton haunted house production this year is "The Asylum of Terror" The press release states, "Dementia, paranoia, violent sociopathic behaviors, physical abnormalities and deformities...these are but a few of the afflictions that torment the wretched souls imprisoned within the walls of the Asylum. Locked up and abandoned by their families and friends these inmates were subject to countless hours of experimentation and torture. These spirits now roam the grounds and halls seeking revenge. In 1942 the doors of the asylum and the grounds were abruptly closed to the patients and the public after the inmates of the asylum overtook the staff and in one devastating night, tortured and then slaughtered all 200 staff members on duty. Come if you dare. For five nights this October the front doors of the asylum will be unlocked for the public to enter."

View the despicable Asylum of Terror Press release/advertisement
http://hauntedmill.org/2009_press_release.htm

Call to Action
Let the Museum know that we will not stand for perpetuating stigma towards persons with a mental illness. Contact the Museum today. chuck@theredmill.org or 908-735-4101, ext. 101.

Following is a sample letter you can use:

We are dismayed that the Red Mill Museum, an iconic New Jersey institution and one that is dedicated to educating the public, is promoting an abhorrently stigmatizing event this Halloween, the haunted asylum. The mental health community has been fighting for years to reverse the pervasive misconceptions concerning mental illness, especially the fallacy that persons with a mental illness are dangerous and should be feared. Despite the clear evidence that persons with a mental illness are much more likely to be the victims of violence or abuse than the perpetrators, these myths persist. Your event and the publicity around it are precisely what fuel these hurtful misperceptions. These lead to the discrimination that people with a mental illness regularly experience and lead others to avoid mental health treatment.
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People create stigma out of their own fears and ignorance. Through education and awareness, people can also undo the harmful stigmas they have created and maintained. Our hope is that you will takes steps to rectify your thoughtless and hurtful actions. For more information on mental illness and stigma, go to http://www.stopstigma.samhsa.gov/topic/facts.aspx.