People call out ban.do for releasing necklaces that 'romanticize' mental illness
Social media users are calling out accessories brand ban.do for turning mental illness into a 'fashion statement'.
Founder Jen Gotch who suffers from Bipolar Disorder released the nameplate-style necklaces that feature the words 'Anxiety', 'Depression' and 'Bipolar' in collaboration with Iconery to 'serve as a conversation starter for people to be more open about what's going on in their minds'.
The brand is also donating 100 per cent of all proceeds from the line to Bring Change to Mind, an organization that aims to end the stigma surrounding mental health.
Controversy: Social media users are calling out accessories brand ban.do for turning mental illness into a 'fashion statement' after it released 'Anxiety', 'Depression' and 'Bipolar' necklaces
Agenda: Founder Jen Gotch who suffers from Bipolar Disorder released the nameplate-style necklaces to 'serve as a conversation starter for people to be more open'
Star power: Actress and social media star Busy Philipps has shown her support for the necklaces by wearing the 'Anxiety' style
However, not everyone is impressed with Gotch's seemingly simplistic attitude towards mental health and have taken to social media to voice their disappointment.
Instagram user @brooke.tw wrote: 'This is THE WORST thing I've ever seen.'
While @millieisoffline typed: 'Stop turning mental health into a goddamn fashion accessory ffs'.
A sentiment shared by @anzietysux who said: 'Mmm this romanticizes depression and anxiety. I don't want me or anyone who struggles with this to have to wear their illness around their next for attention. Mental illness is not a fashion statement.'
And @corky._.b._.roll offered: 'Why would you turn mental illness into a fashion? News flash: Mental illness is not a trend. Mental illness is not fun, it's not cook, it's not fashion. Don't try to make it something it's not.'
Responding to the backlash on Twitter, ban.do explained its motivation: '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.'
It added: '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.'
Backlash: However not everyone is happy with the necklaces and hundred of people have taken to social media to voice their disappointment
Accessory: Another women asked the brand to stop turning her mental illness into a 'fashion accessory'
Bad romance: One person suggested that the necklaces are romanticizing mental illness and don't represent the daily struggle of living with one
Not a trend: One person told the brand that mental illness is not a trend
Struggle: Another Instagram user argued that the necklaces don't show how hard it is to live with a mental illness
Confusing: Another person said that without knowing the background, the necklaces seem to normalize mental illness in a flippant way
And several people sufferiung from mental illnesses have defended the necklaces.
Twitter user @kannchy wrote: 'But these are being sold in honor of mental health awareness month and the profits are even going to that cause... if their purpose was to fully capitalize on MI, why would they do such a thing?
'Their founder has even opened up about struggling personally with MI'.
A sentiment shared by @cat_thepoet who wrote: 'It looks like the profits on the necklaces are going to a mental illness related cause? So that's definitely good! And I'm happily surprised they made a bipolar one too because I thought maybe they'd shy away from that.'
While @thalestral shared: 'I wouldn't buy and wear one because I don't like gold jewelery or femme type stuff. But you bet your ass I buy pins about mental health/illness and wear them with pride.'