Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Funds New Global Mental Health Scholarships as Part of Its Healthy Minds Program

LONDON, March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV, ("Janssen") announced today a donation to the Centre for Global Mental Health, a program of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London, to support the Centre's new Global Mental Health Scholarship Fund. Given as part of Janssen's global Healthy Minds program, the donation will support the training of future leaders in the field of mental health with nine scholarships, which will be awarded starting in the 2013-14 academic year.

Open to honors graduates from around the world, the program is a rigorous one-year Master's of Science (MSc) course of study in global mental health research, policy and practice. It is designed to prepare graduates for careers in national mental health policy and planning, in epidemiological and mental health services research, and as mental health advisors and advocates in government ministries, international aid agencies and non-governmental organizations. The scholarships will cover tuition, room and board, transportation, books, daily expenses and international travel to London.

"Currently, mental health disorders account for nearly 10 percent of the global burden of disease, yet there is a deficit in the number of professionals needed to adequately assess and treat these disorders," said Husseini K. Manji, M.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head for Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. "There is an enormous need for professional training to manage the growing global mental health crisis and integrate locally appropriate strategies for care into national health programs and policies. That is precisely the reason why Janssen was compelled to contribute to the Global Mental Health Scholarship Fund."

The MSc in Global Mental Health program is taught jointly through two world-renowned postgraduate research and teaching institutions the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London.

"Lack of mental health care is one of the most neglected problems worldwide," said Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. "Hundreds of millions of people around the world with mental, neurological or substance-use disorders do not receive even the most basic care, even though effective and low-cost treatments exist. One of the aims of the MSc in Global Mental Health is to train mental health leaders to improve access to care in countries around the world. It is the first degree of its kind in the world, and it is being led by the true pioneers in global mental health at the School and at the Institute of Psychiatry."

The MSc candidates in Global Mental Health receive training in epidemiological and health services research methods to equip them to monitor and evaluate mental health programs. They also learn to devise locally appropriate and feasible strategies to reduce burden of mental health disorders at every level, from national health policy and systems to individual clinical interventions. For more information about the program, the course directors can be contacted at MScGMH@lshtm.ac.uk or gmh-msc@kcl.ac.uk.

"This funding highlights another tangible example of Janssen's dedication to the advancement of the mental healthcare field," said Jane Griffiths, Company Group Chairman, Janssen, Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We are confident that people who complete the program will be highly capable of making a difference in the lives of people suffering from mental illnesses, especially those who may lack resources to find and navigate appropriate treatment options and care."

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a leading center for research and postgraduate education in public and global health, with 4000 students and more than 1,300 staff working in over 100 countries. The School's mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

About Janssen's Healthy Minds Program
Janssen's interests in integrated care for brain diseases have a direct connection to the Janssen Healthy Minds program, launched in 2011 to encourage collaboration among biotechnology, pharmaceutical and public-sector organizations to accelerate the discovery of new therapeutic solutions for neurologic and brain diseases. Healthy Minds builds on Janssen's 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 Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV
Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV, based in Beerse, Belgium, ("Janssen") and with an operating unit in the United Kingdom, is part of the worldwide Pharmaceuticals Group of Johnson & Johnson. Janssen focuses on the discovery, development and production of new medicines and diagnostics and on the provision of innovative therapies for the benefit of patients, doctors and other health care professionals all over the world. Janssen concentrates its efforts on five therapeutic research areas: neurosciences, oncology, vaccines and infectious diseases, immunology, and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. For more information, please visit http://en.janssenpharmaceutica.be/.

SOURCE Janssen Pharmaceutica, NV