NTS apology for '˜escape from the asylum' Crathes fundraiser

The National Trust for Scotland last night gave in to pressure from mental health campaigners to scrap a controversial fund-raising '˜mental asylum escape game' due to be held at one of its castles.
Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire has said it will change format of event which angered mental health campaigners.Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire has said it will change format of event which angered mental health campaigners.
Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire has said it will change format of event which angered mental health campaigners.

‘Escape at Crathes’, which was planned for Crathes Castle, near Banchory in Aberdeenshire, on 28 and 29 July was advertised as a fun event allowing participants to “step back in time” as they are “locked in to a 1950s asylum.”

The event, advertised on the trust’s website and on Facebook, then says those taking part in the 30-minute sessions costing £60 for groups of ten participants can “read through patients’ notes and try to escape.. the aim of the game is to escape before the morning med round begins.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, which campaigns for social justice and equality in mental health, said the event and the thinking behind it was “tasteless and highly ill-judged” and called for it to be scrapped.

Last night the trust issued an apology for the distress caused and said it would alter the format of the event.

Neil Oliver, television presenter and historian, who was appointed the trust’s president last year is also an ambassador in Scotland for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading charity for veterans’ mental health.

The row comes as charities prepare to launch Mental Health Awareness Week running from 14-20 May.

Toni Giugliano, policy manager at the MHF Scotland, said organisations such as the National Trust for Scotland should have a better awareness of mental health.

“The game which until yesterday afternoon was planned for Crathes Crathes stigmatises people with mental health problems. There will be many people with mental health problems who are either in hospital or in care for many different reasons. It’s important we don’t stigmatise their care, treatment and recovery.

“This sort of event would cause distress to someone with a mental health problem, and, at time when more and more people are coming forward this kind of language may actually prevent them seeking help.”

Mr Giugliano added: “One in four of us have or will have mental health problems, it‘s all around us and can feel very acute and severe for those experiencing it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We would like the trust to demonstrate its commitment to mental health issues by lighting up one of its properties in Scotland green, joining other organisations doing the same thing to mark Mental Health Awareness Week.”

A trust spokeswoman said properties booked their own events, using their own judgement about what works for their space and audience.

James Henderson, operations manager for Aberdeenshire, said: “We are sorry that the scenario for this event has caused concern.

“We would not want to contribute to any stigma or misperceptions around mental health and have asked the event provider to alter the setting for the experience.”

Speaking about his work during a visit to Hollybush House, the Combat Stress treatment centre in Ayr, Mr Oliver said: “I am aware of the psychological impact war can have. Regardless of age, gender and conflict, the trauma of war can have a devastating and debilitating effect on service personnel and veterans.”

Related topics: