Kasabian hospital video criticised over ‘sad and tired’ mental health stereotype

A mental health organisation has criticised Kasabian’s new music video set in a mental institution.

The video to the uptempo track You’re In Love With A Psycho sees the rock group’s members Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno dancing around the hospital along with presenter Noel Fielding and Bafta-nominated actor Stephen Graham.

Time to Change, a movement aiming to improve and change the public’s attitude towards people with mental health problems, has said the video combined with the use of the word psycho might be “damaging” and is playing into a “sad and tired” stereotype.

Director of Time to Change, Sue Baker, said in a statement: “As so many musicians have recently talked openly about their experiences of mental health problems it is disappointing to see this video.

“The use of the word ‘psycho’ in a song and accompanying music video featuring people pretending to be psychiatric inpatients is unhelpful, damaging and disappointing when society is moving on from this sad and tired stereotype.

“We are sure the insult and harm was unintentional, or misjudged irony, but we are raising it as we know it will only serve to fuel stigma.”

She added: “If fans think it is OK to call people with mental health problems who have been psychiatric inpatients ‘psychos’, then we are turning back the tide of progress on public attitudes that are more respectful and less judgemental of people living with mental health problems.

“We are keen to work with the band and the music industry to help shift outdated stereotypes and stigma.”

The clip sees the celebrity stars and Kasabian band members wearing flesh-coloured hospital gowns and taking medication before gathering their fellow residents to engage in an aerobics-inspired dance routine in the gymnasium.

You’re In Love With A Psycho is the first single from Kasabian’s forthcoming sixth album, For Crying Out Loud.

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