The Vermont chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has asked The Vermont Teddy Bear Co. to discontinue marketing its “Crazy for You” Bear, according to The Boston Globe.
The bear, which sells for $69.95, is dressed in a white straight jacket embroidered with a red heart. Copy on the company Web site says that the bear “is a great gift for someone you’re crazy about. He even comes with a “Commitment Report” stating “Can’t Eat, Can’t Sleep, My Heart’s Racing. Diagnosis – Crazy for You!” Trust us. She’ll go nuts over this Bear!”
The Globe reported Thursday that Jerry Goessell, executive director of the mental health association, wrote to the Shelburne, VT company, decrying the stuffed animal as a “tasteless use of marketing that stigmatizes persons with mental illness.” The use of commitment papers, he added, is “not something to be taken casually.”
In a statement, the company apologized for offending anyone, saying the bear was created as a “light-hearted depiction of the sentiment of love.” The company reportedly plans to discontinue the bear, but not until after Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
Governor James Douglas added his thoughts to the controversy, telling Burlington, VT television station WCAX he agrees with those who see the bear as insensitive toward the mentally ill. He stopped short of asking the company to take the bear off the market, saying he didn’t want to tell a private company what to do.
A Vermont Teddy Bear spokesperson did not return a call from Direct for comment by deadline.
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