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'Crazy' Dance Upsets Mental Health Advocates

WAUNAKEE, Wis. (AP) -- Mental health care advocates say a high school dance routine called "We Get Crazy" is disturbing and insensitive.

Waunakee High School's varsity dance team had costumes that resembled straitjackets with the words "Psych Ward." The dancers messed their hair, put on black eye makeup and snarled through their routine. It was too much for advocates for the mentally ill. Wisconsin Family Ties executive director Hugh Davis says the routine evokes painful memories for some.

The team's coach, Erin Cotter, says she's taken back by the reaction to the hip-hop routine. Cotter says the intent was to get fans energized; it wasn't about mental illness.

The Capital Times says the team altered their costumes before a weekend state meet in La Crosse.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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