NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – October 8, 2020 – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase stress, fear, and uncertainty worldwide, there has never been a more critical time to champion mental healthcare.
Join us virtually for the Champions of Science: Breaking the Stigma of Mental Illness webcast, open to the public, on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. ET via Johnson & Johnson’s page on LinkedIn. During the event, we will speak to scientists, advocates, and global experts who are working tirelessly to ensure stigma does not stand in the way of people living with mental illness seeking the care and treatment they need.
“Stigma can be a significant barrier to accessing mental healthcare and has a profound effect on the millions of people living with mental illness globally. Education and open discussion have led to reduced stigma about other health conditions – and that is our goal with mental illness,” says Husseini K. Manji, MD, Global Head, Johnson & Johnson Science for Minds. “By fundamentally changing how mental illness is understood, we can change how it is treated and prioritized around the world.”
We will also be announcing the recipient of the 2020 Dr. Guislain “Breaking the Chains of Stigma” Award, an annual award presented by Janssen Research and Development, LLC and the Museum Dr. Guislain to an individual, project or organization who has made outstanding contributions towards eliminating stigma and improving mental health care and education in their community.
This year, there were nearly 50 nominations from 18 countries for the Dr. Guislain Award, and 13 of those individuals and organizations were named to the 2020 shortlist, including:
- Atelier Goldstein Art Studio
- “Entrelaços” Program
- Grégoire Ahongbonon
- Headspace Bolton
- Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman
- J’Gallery & Café
- Journées de la Schizophrénie – International
- Lovro Krsnik
- Moussa Sakho
- Sébastien Van Malleghem
- Taskeen Health Initiative
- The Carter Center: Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism
- The Dax Centre
Tune in live on October 15, 2020 at 12 p.m. ET to find out which of these nominees will receive the 2020 Dr. Guislain Award and how you can submit a nomination for 2021.
About Champions of Science
Science touches our lives in every imaginable way. From antibiotics and telecommunications, to genomics, precision medicine and 3D printing, science has improved the human condition leading to longer, healthier, happier lives for people all over the world. To continue to advance, science needs champions! As a global healthcare company, The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies is uniquely positioned to champion the role of science in society. Champions of Science is a multi-faceted public engagement initiative to convene and catalyze champions of science and engage people of all generations and backgrounds to see the unlimited opportunities that science brings. To learn more, visit www.jnj.com/champions-of-science
About the Dr. Guislain “Breaking the Chains of Stigma” Award
Established in 2012 in partnership with the Museum Dr. Guislain, the Dr. Guislain ‘Breaking the Chains of Stigma’ Award, recognizes an individual, project or organization that has made an outstanding contribution towards reducing the stigma associated with mental illness through innovative social, cultural or scientific initiatives.
The award honors Dr. Joseph Guislain (1797-1860), a champion for people living with mental illness and the first Belgian psychiatrist to provide scientifically-based treatment for these individuals. As a passionate advocate, Dr. Guislain worked tirelessly to stand up for their human rights, ensuring patients were treated with dignity.
To learn more, visit www.drguislainaward.org and follow @DrGuislainAward for updates.
About Johnson & Johnson
At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That’s why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world’s largest and most broadly based health care company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. To learn more, visit www.jnj.com.