'This Halloween culture is dangerous. It conditions all of us to fear mental illness - to see people as 'psychos', or 'schizos' or 'freaks'. It makes us believe that mental illness is something other worldly.
'We have to tackle this damaging stigma which prevents young people from seeking help when they need it, or talking about any problems they might be having.
'Everyone should be able to enjoy Halloween but I urge all retailers to behave more responsibly - don't demonise mental illness.'
Last year, supermarkets Asda and Tesco came under fire for selling Halloween costumes which were said to have caused offence.
Asda withdrew its 'mental patient fancy dress costume' and Tesco took its 'psycho ward' outfit off the shelves. But similar outfits are still widely available online.
Asda has withdrawn its 'mental patient fancy dress costume'
Earlier this month a health trust boss said such Halloween fancy dress outfits were offensive and damaging.
John Lawlor, chief executive of Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (NTW), said people would never wear a 'cancer patient' Halloween outfit, and so they should not treat mental health issues so flippantly.
Last week Mr Lamb criticised Newbury-based Jokers' Masquerade, telling the BBC it was selling outfits that 'reinforced stereotypes'.
The shops sells a £12.45 'Adult Skitzo Costume' today, consisting of an orange jumpsuit with 'a set of black vinyl shackles and belt, plus a restraining face mask to complete the look'.
Maximum restraint Halloween costume currently on sale on website joke.co.uk (PA)
It also offers a £20.99 'Maximum Restraint Halloween Costume' consisting of a straightjacket and a mask like that worn by Anthony Hopkins when he played cannibal killer Hannibal Lecter in Silence Of The Lambs.
The Prime Minister's Deputy Spokesman said: 'For families and children up and down the country, Halloween is an opportunity to have some fun, and there is nothing wrong with that.
'But respecting those who suffer from either physical or mental illness is a view widely shared.
'As to what can and can't be bought in stores, that is a matter that will be driven by consumers and by retailers responding to that.'
Entities 0 Name: Asda Count: 3 1 Name: Tesco Count: 2 2 Name: Lamb Count: 1 3 Name: Tyne Count: 1 4 Name: Northumberland Count: 1 5 Name: BBC Count: 1 6 Name: NHS Foundation Trust Count: 1 7 Name: PA Count: 1 8 Name: John Lawlor Count: 1 9 Name: Anthony Hopkins Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1xHvOZB Title: Stop selling Halloween outfits that demonise mentally ill, says minister Description: Halloween's ghoulish festivities have turned into a dangerous culture that brands the mentally ill as "psychos or schizos or freaks", a government minister warns. Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat care and support minister, will give a speech urging retailers not to "demonise" people with mental health problems by selling trick-or-treat and party outfits that mock psychiatric patients.
