Janssen Recognizes World Suicide Prevention Day with New Video Series

TITUSVILLE, N.J., Sept. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10 and the start of National Suicide Prevention Week, the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson launched a new digital video series called "Suicide: The Public Health Crisis We Need to Discuss" as part of its Champions of Science: Janssen Healthy Minds Program. Tragically, a suicide takes place every 40 seconds, claiming more than 800,000 lives each year globally.¹ Janssen is committed to bring attention to and address this challenging and urgent public health crisis.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Vicki Mabrey, the program features a panel including Carla Canuso, M.D., Psychiatrist and Clinical Researcher at Janssen Research & Development, LLC; Robert Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; and Mackenzie Drazan, Mental Health Advocate and Founder of non-profit organization, Teaching Everyone About Mental Health (TEAM). The panelists share their expertise and personal experience while providing tips about how to recognize people who may be at risk and how our society can work together to help prevent suicide.

"After losing my sister to suicide, my family and I did not know how to talk about it and struggled to find resources because it is such a difficult topic," says Mackenzie Drazan. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to share my personal story to encourage a proactive dialogue about mental health and direct people to resources that may be helpful."

"Suicide can be prevented. Research shows us that we can reduce suicidal risk by making sure we connect with one another," said Robert Gebbia, CEO of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. "Through these new videos, we are making strides in helping to ensure people have information and new tools to reach out for help when they or someone they know is in need. Together we can save lives."

As part of the four-part video series, panelists discuss the importance of having both honest conversations about mental health and suicide and resources available to help with this difficult topic. The panelists also highlight the need for more research to better understand suicide and ways to prevent it.

"Suicide is a very complex issue that is typically related to brain disorders, particularly depression," said Dr. Carla Canuso. "While we know more about the brain and mental illnesses than ever before, more knowledge is needed to understand what leads to suicide and how to help prevent it. Janssen is committed to further championing science and clinical research to gain insights and develop new and better treatments for serious mental health conditions."

If you or a loved one are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text the Crisis Text Line by typing TALK to 741741. For more information about the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, visit www.afsp.org, and TEAM (Teaching Everyone About Mental Health), visit www.myteam.org.

The new videos about suicide prevention can be viewed on the J&J and Janssen YouTube channels. The Champions of Science: Janssen Healthy Minds initiative is designed to educate the public about advances in neuroscience research and provide news and information about mental health and brain disorders, including suicide prevention.  

About the Champions of Science: Janssen Healthy Minds Program
Janssen's interests in integrated care for brain diseases have a direct connection to the Champions of Science: Janssen Healthy Minds program. The Janssen Healthy Minds program was launched in 2011 to encourage collaboration to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for brain disorders and to provide public health education about them. Janssen Healthy Minds builds on our longstanding legacy of achievement in advancing neuroscience research. The company's work in this area dates back to the 1950s, when Dr. Paul Janssen's discovery and development work led to one of the first breakthrough treatments for schizophrenia. Janssen takes its name from "Dr. Paul," who is known as one of the 20th century's most gifted and passionate physicians and pharmaceutical researchers.

Over the last half century, Janssen has discovered, developed and launched many innovative treatments for brain and CNS conditions and remains firmly committed to neuroscience. Janssen supports public and professional education about mental illness and brain disorders, and funds sponsorships and philanthropy in the field of neuroscience and mental health.

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. We have launched Champions of Science – 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.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science.

Janssen Research & Development, LLC is one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at http://www.twitter.com/JanssenUS and www.twitter.com/JanssenGlobal.

Media Contact:
Greg Panico 
609-730-3061 (office)
908-240-2011 (mobile)
[email protected]

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¹ World Health Organization. (2018). Suicide data. Accessed August 23, 2018 from http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/

SOURCE Janssen

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