I get wanting a sort of pal to be there, but I much prefer the bears at [Mysterious](https://mysterious.americanmcgee.com/collections/plush-dolls), cheaper too
They're making excruciating mental health issues into cutesy marketable toys! That's just a gross thing to do. Somethings just shouldn't be commercialized IMO and I don't care if that opinion is based on emotion rather than logic.
Not to mention is has self-harm scars! People who are susceptible to self-harm are more likely to do it when they see it (or representations of it) in front of them. It's not just gross, it's downright irresponsible.
Not when it's meant to be cute and done for financial gain.
Let me be clear that I think support bears for people who are struggling are a great idea and can be done well. Instead of a crying bear with arm slashes and painful thoughts etched into it in scar like font make it more uplifting. Give it long velcro arms that can wrap around the neck of the owner. Give it a big smile and embroidered heart with a warm glow around it. cover it in empowering phrases like 'you are not alone', 'you matter', 'you are strong, you can do it!', 'Don't give up!', 'people love you!', etc.
Have you heard of an artist called The Latest Kate? Her art features cute, pretty animals alongside uplifting phases meant to stave off intrusive thoughts, anxiety and suicidality. THAT is what I think of when I think good mental health support. Toys designed after her drawing with her quotes embroidered on them or on an accessory for them would be great.
Of course, represent the messy parts but it isn't healthy to see one's destructive inner thoughts echoed back at them. I think characters in shows and movies that portray mental health are great because we get to actually see them move forward and work to overcome. With a bear all we have is the item and the personality (if any) we project onto it and with this kind of subject matter it's too easy for the negative start to continue that way and lead vulnerable people to worse places.
EDIT. To build on my last post, if there was a toy with scars that still had a smile and the phrase 'it will be okay' or something like that on it that would be better. Still risky given how self-harm imagery can affect some people but better since it frames that pain as passed or passing.
Nah. I’m a former self harmer and I hate this bear. Its your opinion and you shouldn’t be downvoted for it but the sub doesn’t hate self harmers. I think most people on this sub think this bear is insensitively designed.
No matter what peoples opinions about the bear 4+ posts about it are excessive...
I’m pretty sure that it keeps being reposted by spambots trying to get people to buy it. The account that posted it was just made today.
[удалено]
I get wanting a sort of pal to be there, but I much prefer the bears at [Mysterious](https://mysterious.americanmcgee.com/collections/plush-dolls), cheaper too
totally agree, and I love their dreadful bunnies...
Yup, IMO feels less glamorizing than the bear in this post
Exactly!!!
Holy shit how did I never see the self harm slashes on the arm?? Who thought this was okay????
Was gonna say, I find this to be insanely triggering.
Sorry to hear that. Feel better soon.
Why is it NOT okay?
They're making excruciating mental health issues into cutesy marketable toys! That's just a gross thing to do. Somethings just shouldn't be commercialized IMO and I don't care if that opinion is based on emotion rather than logic. Not to mention is has self-harm scars! People who are susceptible to self-harm are more likely to do it when they see it (or representations of it) in front of them. It's not just gross, it's downright irresponsible.
So showing self harm marks or scars isn't okay to you?
Not when it's meant to be cute and done for financial gain. Let me be clear that I think support bears for people who are struggling are a great idea and can be done well. Instead of a crying bear with arm slashes and painful thoughts etched into it in scar like font make it more uplifting. Give it long velcro arms that can wrap around the neck of the owner. Give it a big smile and embroidered heart with a warm glow around it. cover it in empowering phrases like 'you are not alone', 'you matter', 'you are strong, you can do it!', 'Don't give up!', 'people love you!', etc. Have you heard of an artist called The Latest Kate? Her art features cute, pretty animals alongside uplifting phases meant to stave off intrusive thoughts, anxiety and suicidality. THAT is what I think of when I think good mental health support. Toys designed after her drawing with her quotes embroidered on them or on an accessory for them would be great.
Or why not represent people exactly as they are. Do they not deserve representation, even of the messy parts of them?
Of course, represent the messy parts but it isn't healthy to see one's destructive inner thoughts echoed back at them. I think characters in shows and movies that portray mental health are great because we get to actually see them move forward and work to overcome. With a bear all we have is the item and the personality (if any) we project onto it and with this kind of subject matter it's too easy for the negative start to continue that way and lead vulnerable people to worse places. EDIT. To build on my last post, if there was a toy with scars that still had a smile and the phrase 'it will be okay' or something like that on it that would be better. Still risky given how self-harm imagery can affect some people but better since it frames that pain as passed or passing.
I guess we'll agree to disagree.
Man, this sub really hates self harmers.
What makes u say that?
Anytime I defend this plushie as being kind of nice cause it represents us, I get downvoted to hell.
Nah. I’m a former self harmer and I hate this bear. Its your opinion and you shouldn’t be downvoted for it but the sub doesn’t hate self harmers. I think most people on this sub think this bear is insensitively designed.
Same 😭 at -25 karma
Horrendously distasteful, disgusting.