Call for nominations: 'Breaking the Chains of Stigma' award

GHENT, Belgium -- Museum Dr. Guislain with support from Janssen Research & Development, LLC have issued a global call for nominations for the 2013 Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award. The award honors an individual, project or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Nominations can be submitted at the 2013 Dr. Guislain Award, and will be accepted until March 10, 2013. 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 health and disorders of the brain.

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.

"Museum Dr. Guislain is delighted to honor the memory of Dr. Guislain through continued sponsorship and presentation of this global award," said Brother Rene Stockman, general manager of the Museum Dr. Guislain. "We seek to acknowledge Dr. Guislain's legacy and demonstrate the continuing need to educate the general public on harmful effects of social exclusion faced by many with mental illness by recognizing the important contributions of individuals and organizations that have helped to reduce the stigma associated with these illnesses."

In 2012, Bagus Utomo was presented with the award. Utomo is an Indonesian man who was motivated by his brother's mental illness to help other struggling families find resources to fight stigma associated with schizophrenia. He founded the organization Komunitas Peduli Skizofrenia Indonesia (Indonesia Community Care for Schizophrenia), or KPSI. His advocacy has improved the accessibility of information on mental health and contributed to increased public acceptance that these conditions are medical and awareness of the damaging effects of stigma – making a tangible impact on patients living with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions in Indonesia.

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 pharmaceuticadidas superstar damen glitzer silber