• Advertise
  • About us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
Friday, May 20, 2022
Australian Times News
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
      • UK Lottery
      • UK Lotto
      • EuroMillions
  • Lifestyle
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Video
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
      • UK Lottery
      • UK Lotto
      • EuroMillions
  • Lifestyle
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Video
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia
No Result
View All Result
Australian Times News
No Result
View All Result
Home News

‘Bethlem’ ride at Australian show criticised by UK mental health experts

In a row that has sparked criticism from UK and Australian mental health experts, an exhibition at the Perth Royal Show risked being placed in isolation.

Australian Times by Australian Times
30-09-2014 10:47
in News

The ‘Bethlem Sanatorium’ ride, which opened at the Perth Royal Show this weekend, risked a straitjacket after complaints by Australians and Brits alike that the exhibition is offensive and stigmatises mental illness.

The exhibition, or ‘ride’, would have allowed visitors to move through a representation of the UK’s Bethlem Hospital where patients with mental illness were cared for.

Featuring 20 actors all displaying various mental illnesses, the exhibit represents a similar situation as hundreds of years ago when psychiatric patients were exhibited’ at fairs for public entertainment.

The 800-year-old institution, founded in the Middle Ages and known as the St Mary of Bethlem, is still in existence to this day, now known as the Bethlem Psychiatric Hospital. It was also commonly known as ‘Bedlam’.

The current Bethlem Royal Hospital is under the auspices of the UK’s National Health Service for South London and Maudsley. In an open letter, chief executive of National Health Services, Dr Matthew Patrick, said the exhibit was highly offensive to those who suffer of mental illness or those who are close to anyone receiving psychiatric treatment.

“The ride is deeply offensive; stigmatises mental illness and reinforces negative stereotypes about mental health. It fosters discrimination and promotes the perception of scary mental health patients which will undoubtedly deter people from seeking the help they need, read Dr Patrick’s letter.

“The Bethlem has a long history but is also a real place, with real patients who are experiencing real illness. We ask that you cancel this ride so that it is not included in the show and does not cause detriment to our hospital, staff and most importantly to our patients and other people with mental health difficulties.

AlsoRead...

May's Weather Forecast

Weather Forecast 20 May 2022

20 May 2022
Monkeypox detected in the UK and US this week but no cause for alarm

Monkeypox detected in the UK and US this week but no cause for alarm

19 May 2022

Mental health campaigners from around Australia came up in support of Dr Patrick’s calls to scrap the Bethlem exhibition.

Speaking to the ABC, Frank Quinlan, chief executive of Mental Health Australia, said, “It just seemed to me almost beyond belief that in this day and age we would see people perpetuating stereotypes and images of people who experience mental illness.

“I think the main concern is this business of perpetuating the sort of idea that mental illness is something abhorrent and something that affects others and something that we should be frightened of. Mental illness is something that we are all close to. One in five Australians experience a mental illness every year.

Supporting Quinlan and Patrick’s argument is Jack Heath executive chief of SANE Australia, saying, “Australia’s made huge strides in reducing stigma for depression and anxiety in recent years, and he’s shocked the Royal Show thought the exhibit was appropriate.

“We were profoundly disappointed and we must say surprised at the same time. We had thought that these sorts of attitudes or making jokes about these sorts of things had been put to bed, you know, 10 – 20 years ago, so a great surprise to us.

“For people who’ve had loved ones who’ve been affected by severe mental illness or even for people who may have been involved in institutions in the past, those people are profoundly concerned and upset with it.”

According to the ABC, the president of the WA Mental Health Association, Alison Xamon, said than the concept of the ‘Bethlem Sanatorium’ was insensitive.

“It would be a nice thought that outdated ideas around mental health were so far back in our history that we could actually get to a point of poking fun at it ourselves,” she said.

“But unfortunately, we really aren’t there yet.

“What we do know is that there are some ongoing stereotypes around mental health which are very pervasive.”

While the Perth Royal Agricultural Society originally refused to can the ‘Bethlem Sanatorium’ exhibit, saying it, “had nothing to do with mental illness, and was simply a thrill attraction in the mould of a traditional haunted house, the fate of the exhibit’s,” a decision was made late on Friday to rename the exhibit.

The organisers announced that the haunted house attraction will be renamed Mayhem Manor removing any historical connections to mental health.

“In light of the feedback from Consumers of Mental Health WA and other mental health advocacy groups in the community we have worked with the attraction owner to make changes, said Peter Cooper, the chief executive of the the Royal Agricultural Society.

“Our event is the most important community event in the state and we think it is essential that we take notice of the groundswell of support from mental health advocacy groups in the community over this issue, he said.

Tags: Australiahealthmental healthPerthpsychologyUK Australian News
DMCA.com Protection Status

SUBSCRIBE to our NEWSLETTER

[mc4wp_form id=”2384248″]

Don't Miss

Horoscopes: 20 May 2022 – Friday

by Adamu
20 May 2022
Free Daily Horoscope - Astrology
Horoscopes

Keep your karma positive with these daily free horoscopes!

Read more

Weather Forecast 20 May 2022

by Adamu
20 May 2022
May's Weather Forecast
Australia Weather

Be prepared for any weather with our daily weather forecast for Australia.

Read more

How And Where To Get The Best Hair Transplant In Turkey

by Alan Aldridge
20 May 2022
Image credit: https://cosmedica.com/
Lifestyle

These patients don't just go for the premium treatment but also to enjoy it at a very reduced cost. This...

Read more

Kendrick Lamar announces new tour dates for Melbourne and Sydney

by Shannon Alexander
20 May 2022
Kendrick Lamar announces new tour dates for Melbourne and Sydney
Lifestyle

Kendrick Lamar released his new album Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers on May 13th and now he is set...

Read more

Johnny Depp: A documentary titled Johnny vs Amber to be released

by Shannon Alexander
19 May 2022
Johnny Depp: A documentary titled Johnny vs Amber to be released
Lifestyle

While the media and the public has their eyes set on Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, Discovery channel will be...

Read more

Monkeypox detected in the UK and US this week but no cause for alarm

by Shannon Alexander
19 May 2022
Monkeypox detected in the UK and US this week but no cause for alarm
News

The US and the UK has reported a few cases of Mokeypox this week. But health authorities in Australia says...

Read more

Taylor Swift graduates from NYU with an Honorary doctorate

by Shannon Alexander
19 May 2022
Taylor Swift graduates from NYU with an Honorary doctorate
Lifestyle

The swifties are in such a frenzy as their favorite artist Taylor Swift has graduated from the New York University...

Read more
Load More

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status

  • About us
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • T&Cs, Privacy and GDPR
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Weather
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Business & Finance
      • Currency Zone
    • Lotto Results
      • The Lott
      • UK Lottery
      • UK Lotto
      • EuroMillions
  • Lifestyle
    • Horoscopes
    • Health & Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Video
  • Entertainment
  • Travel
  • Expat Life
  • Move to Australia

Copyright © Blue Sky Publications Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
australiantimes.co.uk is a division of Blue Sky Publications Ltd. Reproduction without permission prohibited. DMCA.com Protection Status