The Dangers of Halloween For Those In Crisis.
According to Healthy Place: Halloween Can Be Frightening For People with Mental Illness
Halloween can be fun time, but it can also be a difficult time for people who have been abused (esp. satanic ritual abuse) or have PTSD, anxiety or other mental health conditions. Recovering From Mental Illness blog author, Paulissa Kipp, discusses the issue in Halloween, More Trick Than Treat for Those With Mental Illness. Especially, if you or your child have a mental illness, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Halloween is tied into death and the devil. Some dress up in bizarre scary costumes and in their attempt to instill fear, the characters may make strange eye contact. In addition, they may invade your personal space, making frightening noises and use bizarre body movements and gestures.
- Children who participate in such Halloween celebrations may experience high levels of fear, anxiety and panic.
- Be prepared to be assaulted by all sorts of examples of mental health stigma. For instance, people dressed in costumes, like a straight jacket, pretending to be “crazy” or haunted asylums, whose residents are portrayed as violent monsters.
If you feel uncomfortable celebrating or dealing with Halloween, do something else tonight. You don’t have to submit yourself or your child to anything that harms your mental health.