NYU Bows to Critics and Pulls Ransom-Note Ads

As noted by the WSJ Health Blog, NYU Bows to Critics and Pulls Ransom-Note Ads

After sparking widespread criticism, the New York University Child Study Center decided this afternoon to pull ads, which featured ransom notes that personified mental illnesses as kidnappers of children suffering from the conditions.

The center’s campaign, which began earlier this month, featured images of ransom notes to drive home the message that 12 million children are being held hostage by mental health problems, such as depression and autism. See the Health Blog’s previous post on the NYU controversy here.

The campaign provoked the ire of many patient groups, who called the ads stigmatizing and fear-inducing. NYU received thousands of phone calls and e-mails since the ads became widely publicized, with about 70% against the campaign.

This from a facility who is supposed to specialize in understanding the mind (and thus people), and communication and education. Their attempt to educate and communicate with the public merely antagonized, revealing something of a lack of expertise. Hmmmmmmmm.