UK mental health organisation Time to Change have issued a statement responding to Kasabian’s music video for their latest single, You’re in Love With a Psycho.
The video, starring the band and comedian Noel Fielding, is set in a fictional mental support facility.
In the statement, Sue Baker OBE, Director of Time to Change, said:
“As so many musicians have recently talked openly about their experiences of mental health problems it is disappointing to see this video. The use of the word ‘Psycho’ in a song and accompanying music video featuring people pretending to be psychiatric inpatients is unhelpful, damaging and disappointing when society is moving on from this sad and tired stereotype. We are sure the insult and harm was unintentional, or misjudged irony, but we are raising it as we know it will only serve to fuel stigma.
“If fans think it is OK to call people with mental health problems who have been psychiatric inpatients ‘psychos’, then we are turning back the tide of progress on public attitudes that are more respectful and less judgemental of people living with mental health problems. We are keen to work with the band and the music industry to help shift outdated stereotypes and stigma.”
Kasabian are yet to respond to the statement. You can watch their video here.
(Via FACT)