"Mental illness and doughnuts do not mix. That's the message mental health activists John Mitchem and Brian Miller sent Psycho Donuts as they stood in front of the Campbell store handing out "stigma-free" doughnuts, according to the San Jose Mercury News.
The brouhaha stems from the mental illness themed treats and business. The Bipolar's toppings, for instance, are half nuts, half coconut shavings, while Massive Head Trauma's red jelly filling oozes from the side (see photos below). The store itself comes with nurses, a padded cell and "group therapy" area.
Jordan Zweigoron, who launched the shop with co-owner Kipp Berdianski in March, explained to the Merc:
"There's a fine line, I think, between having a sense of humor and not, and we're really just looking at doing something that's light-hearted and fun."
But many folks aren't laughing. Miller said:
"Imagine a shop that made fun of cancer; it wouldn't be funny."
Meanwhile, mental health research charity NARSAD returned Psycho Donut's $50 donation. The Net's also buzzing with outrage. Everyone from a psychologist to a depression columnist have weighed in on the controversy, while Rebekah Robertson started an online petition.
Psycho Donuts owners believe critics need to lighten up and understand this:
We might be insulting the flour inside of that very sensitive donut, but let's agree on one thing: donuts are not people; and the names of our donuts do not correspond to any opinion or pre-conceived notion about people."
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