People are angry about these mental illness themed necklaces
A company has come under fire on social media after releasing a new jewellery collection featuring necklaces with silver or gold mental illnesses on them.
The range comes from Jen Gotch, founder and chief creative officer of ban.do, who says she struggles with mental illness herself and has done for most of her life.
She said: I know how challenging it can be both personally and professionally.
Its so important for us to open up a dialogue about how we are feeling and get to a place where we are comfortable asking for and receiving help.
One thing we can all do is work to remove the stigmas associated with mental illness.
Jen feels these necklaces – which feature conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar – will work towards doing that.
She hopes they will serve as a conversation starter for people to be more open about whats going on in their minds.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Where it in good (mental) health, she wrote.
While the sentiment is there, and 100% of the net proceeds go to Bring Change To Mind, people on Twitter really arent okay with the necklaces.
Many feel the necklaces romanticise mental health conditions..
People have been taking to Twitter to express their concerns:
K I read more of this thread. but I still dont like it at all bc majority of people who see this necklace will not know that its to be worn for awareness. Like obviously if people are getting so fired up about this theyre not doing it right.
— emerald mara
(@emeraldthegirl) May 28, 2018
maybe instead of using the actual word, depression/anxiety, use a symbol to represent it? its just a bit odd to walk around with the word depression literally in gold around your neck as if its some kind of wonderful label for us. i appreciate the gesture tho! good luck!
— Kitty Tits
(@gotrotheboss) May 28, 2018
The fact Ive seen the words anxiety and depression on NECKLACES has got me sooo fuming, its not fucking cute or aesthetic and anyone who thinks so has clearly never known anyone who has suffered/ has suffered themselves. EDUCATE YOURSELVES
— ell (@ellawilsonferry) May 29, 2018
People literally show off being depressed/having anxiety like its cute these days rather than realizing that they actually have a problem.Unless u are diagnosed then DONT SAY U HAVE IT it is not a joking manner nor is it cute to have a necklace around ur neck saying ur depressed https://t.co/PhnK6i6WdV
— Kaitlyn
(@kaitlynCheezumm) May 28, 2018
However, ban.do has been quick to defend themselves:
these necklaces were designed by our founder jen who has bipolar disorder and all net proceeds from these necklaces go directly to @BC2M, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health and to raising awareness, understanding, and empathy.
— ban.do (@shopbando) May 28, 2018
so far we have seen a conversation open up about mental illness – both positive and negative- and we really appreciate your thoughts and opinions on the subject. if you want to learn more about our initiative head to https://t.co/6CvMnv0BEI
— ban.do (@shopbando) May 28, 2018
More: Fashion
Advertisement
Advertisement
Of course, the necklaces highlight a very sensitive issue and it seems there were good intentions behind them – but mental illness is not a fashion statement – and we just hope the people buying these necklaces know this.
MORE: Just remember, it cant hurt you: how you can help someone during a panic attack
MORE: Therapy cats can be life-changing for people with mental illness
Advertisement
Advertisement
