In Asia Pacific, as in many regions around the world, there is a stigma surrounding mental illness, resulting from a lack of awareness and education about mental health disorders. Despite their high prevalence, few people seek support. The burden of disease and systems to support people living with mental illness varies significantly from country to country, and people with severe mental disorders often receive no treatment. With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers endorsing an “APEC Roadmap to Promote Mental Wellness in a Healthy Asia Pacific (2014-2020),” as well as the new “Healthy Asia-Pacific 2020” initiative, 2014 was particularly significant for mental health care in the region. This was followed by APEC Economic Leaders recognition of the importance of mental health for the first time in the organization’s 25 year history.

Over the course of the past 50 years, Janssen has been committed to developing innovative medicines to treat neurological disorders, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. We care deeply about the well-being of people taking our medicines and have a vision for the future – one that envisages a stigma-free life with access to optimal care for all those living with mental illness.

Opportunity

• Situation: Lack of awareness about mental health means people living with mental illness frequently experience stigmatization, discrimination, social exclusion, and human rights violations.
   
• Imperative: Reduce stigma by facilitating open conversation and raise awareness amongst the general public.
   
• Goal: De-stigmatize mental health conditions; improve diagnosis, treatment and recognition of mental health disorders; facilitate widespread access to treatment and education.

Strategy

• The Janssen Healthy Minds Asia Pacific program focuses on our commitment to the medical community, patients and their caregivers.
   
• Through the Janssen Healthy Minds program, Janssen supports a range of public-private partnerships and collaborations that make a difference to the lives of people with mental illness.
   
• By enhancing medical support, driving cooperation and building capacity, the Janssen Healthy Minds program helps remove barriers that limit access to the best possible care.

Results

• Supported more than 1,000 lectures across China to raise awareness of mental illness and combat stigma.
   
• Co-produced a full length film – Mga Anino  ng Kahapon (Shadows of the Past) – in the Philippines about a family living with the challenges of schizophrenia.
   
• Partnered with multiple public and private institutions for the pilot phase of the country’s first mental health information system.
   
• Supported “Lighting the Hope for Schizophrenia,” a public awareness campaign aimed at changing perceptions across Indonesia.

Recognition

Mga Anino ng Kahapon (Shadows of the Past) received:

• Two Metro Manila Film Festival awards
   
• The James E. Burke Award – An internal award that celebrates the most courageous, creative and impactful programs across the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies The Award celebrates the key tenets of former Johnson & Johnson Chief Executive Officer Jim Burke’s life and leadership: To act boldly and with a sense of urgency, yet always with compassion for others.

The Sustainability Factor

Our dedication to advancing human health and the overall well-being of our patients forms the foundation of our commitment to treat and shift perceptions around mental health disorders. Innovative products and access to medication must be complemented with proactive community outreach, education and support – notably in regions like Asia Pacific, where culture may make mental health issues difficult to openly address. With our mission to help people live healthier, happier lives, we have a responsibility to support those who are undiagnosed or lack appropriate means to effect sustainable treatment success.