Museum Dr. Guislain and Janssen R&D Seek Global Nominations for 2014 Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award

GHENT, Belgium, Feb. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Museum Dr. Guislain in Ghent, Belgium and Janssen Research & Development, LLC ("Janssen"), today announced they are seeking nominations for the third Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award. The award honors an individual, project or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to reduce stigma associated with mental illness. Nominations from people and organizations anywhere in the world can be submitted at www.drguislainaward.org, and will be accepted until March 31, 2014. A $50,000 cash prize will be awarded to the individual or group receiving the award, which must be used toward further work to reduce societal stigma about mental illness.

"Museum Dr. Guislain is pleased to continue our support of the Dr. Guislain Award, and extend the commitment that Dr. Guislain made to patients suffering from mental illness," said Brother Rene Stockman, general manager of the Museum Dr. Guislain. "The first two winners of the Dr. Guislain Award have made tremendous strides towards fighting stigma and promoting self-advocacy in their respective nations."

The Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award honors Dr. Joseph Guislain (1797-1860), a driven activist for patients with mental illness and the first Belgian psychiatrist to provide scientifically based treatment for these individuals. As a passionate advocate for those with mental illness, Dr. Guislain worked tirelessly to stand up for the rights of patients and help improve their social position. Museum Dr. Guislain and Janssen jointly sponsor the award, with funding provided by Janssen. Both organizations have a rich heritage and long-standing involvement in the field of mental illness research, treatment and education.

The winning individual, project or organization will be determined by the end of June by an independent selection committee of international mental health advocates and renowned authorities in the field, and honored at a ceremony on October 9, 2014, the day before World Mental Health Day, in New York City.

Matrika Devkota, the Nepalese founder of the organization Koshish was selected as the 2013 Dr. Guislain Award winner for his work as a community-level lobbyist on behalf of those suffering from mental illness. Devkota was presented with the award in Mumbai, India in October of 2013. For more information about the Dr. Guislain Award and the inaugural winner, please visit www.drguislainaward.org.

"Janssen is proud to sponsor and support the 2014 Dr. Guislain 'Breaking the Chains of Stigma' Award. Our involvement reflects our more than 50-year commitment to help find solutions for patients with mental illness and other diseases of the brain, and is an important component of our global Healthy Minds Program," said Husseini K. Manji, MD, Global Therapeutic Area Head for Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "The work of advocates such as the past Dr. Guislain Award winners makes a true difference in the lives of patients worldwide."

Janssen has a legacy of, and ongoing commitment to, advancing neuroscience research. This legacy and commitment dates back to the work of Dr. Paul Janssen (1926-2003). "Dr. Paul" is known as one of the 20th century's most gifted and passionate physicians and pharmaceutical researchers. To honor his legacy, Janssen supports the mental health community and various advocacy organizations and projects. In 2011, Janssen launched Healthy Minds, a comprehensive initiative that aims to encourage collaboration among biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and public-sector partners to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for diseases and disorders of the brain.

About the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award
Individuals, organizations or projects from around the world that have made an exceptional contribution in dealing with, or promoting the awareness of, mental health care are eligible* to receive the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award. The Award is given to an individual(s), organization or project that:

• has made an exceptional contribution to mental healthcare in the broadest sense on a cultural and/or social level;
• has provided a genuine contribution to decreasing stigma around mental health conditions;
• has promoted attention for mental health care;
• and has done all this with passion, creativity and innovation.

About Museum Dr. Guislain
The Museum Dr. Guislain was founded in 1986 in Ghent, Belgium, and its exhibits address the history of psychiatry in a permanent collection and through a series of half-yearly changing thematic exhibitions. The Museum features an array of psychiatric photographs, two centuries of comprehensive archives and an extensive library chronicling the history of psychiatry. Comprehensively, the Museum seeks to educate the public and rectify the misunderstandings and prejudice associated with treatment for mental illness. The Museum Dr. Guislain attracts 65,000 visitors each year.

About Dr. Joseph Guislain
Dr. Joseph Guislain (1797-1860) was a driven activist for patients with mental illness and the first Belgian psychiatrist to provide scientifically-based treatment for these individuals. As a passionate advocate for those with mental illness, Dr. Guislain worked tirelessly to stand up for the rights of patients and help improve their social position. He lectured and published extensively about mental illness and enjoyed considerable recognition by his contemporaries.

Please visit www.drguislainaward.org for more information.

*Employees and officers of Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, The Museum Dr. Guislain, any promotional agencies and members of the immediate family or household of each, are not eligible to participate in the Dr. Guislain Award as nominators, Award candidates or judges.  Immediate family member is defined as a parent, sibling or any person residing in same household as employee.

Contact:
Patrick Allegaert
Museum Dr. Guislain
+32 9 216 35 95
[email protected]

SOURCE Museum Dr. Guislain