Honor Celebrates Exceptional Contributions
Made in the Field of Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness
NEW YORK, Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today
the Dr. Guislain Museum and Janssen Research & Development, LLC
("Janssen") named Chantharavady Choulamany, M.D., the 2016 recipient
of the Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of Stigma" Award.
The award
recognizes Laotian psychiatrist, Dr. Choulamany, for her impact on the quality
of life for individuals who are living with mental illness. Dr. Choulamany will
be recognized for her contributions at a special award event later today in New
York. As only one of two qualified
psychiatrists in Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), a country of more than
6 million people. Dr. Choulamany has dedicated her life to increasing access to
mental health services and developing education programs to treat and improve
understanding of mental illness.
Dr. Choulamany has worked to address mental
health issues and needs in her country with a uniquely successful approach. She
works with all levels of government, advocating for better treatment services,
more funding and pushing for more trained health professionals. Several of the
17 district and 7 provincial hospitals have now set up mental health teams,
comprising of a doctor and two nurses, who have participated in a four-day
mental health training program from BasicNeeds. To further overcome the
shortage of trained health workers, Dr. Choulamany has enlisted the help of
cultural groups to raise awareness of mental illness and to fight stigma. She
has also provided training to Buddhist monks to help care for people with
mental illness through counseling and prayer. More than 8,000 patients and
family members have already benefited directly from Dr. Choulamany's work.
"Dr. Choulamany's work is changing the
way an entire country thinks about and responds to mental illness. Her work is
transforming the conversation about mental illness while increasing the level
of understanding that individuals possess about this subject," said
Brother René Stockman, General Director of the Dr. Guislain Museum. "Our
organization is pleased to provide this award in honor of her unique
contributions."
Each year, the Dr. Guislain Award receives
nominations from mental health professionals across the globe. Dr. Choulamany
was selected from more than 55 nominees by a jury of international mental
health advocates and renowned authorities in the field.
In addition to her current role as Program
Manager in her country for BasicNeeds, an international, non-governmental,
mental-health focused organization, Dr. Choulamany, with strong government
support, oversees a number of national and local initiatives, all with the goal
of treating mental illness and reducing the stigma associated with it. Dr. Choulamany
was one of the co-authors of the 2002 report commissioned by the World Health
Organization (WHO) that analyzed the mental health issues in Lao PDR and more
recently has been involved in drafting "A National Strategy for Mental
Health by 2020" in conjunction with the WHO.
"My work has been challenging, yet
rewarding. When you are able to assist one person in living a happier, fuller
life, you are helping them, their family and their entire community," said
Dr. Choulamany. "There is still much work to be done, but the progress
that we have made through education and making treatment more accessible is
something in which I take great pride."
Earlier in her career, Dr. Choulamany worked
at the University of Medicine in Vientiane, Lao PDR, then the Mahosot Hospital,
under the Ministry of Health. While at the University of Medicine, Dr.
Choulamany taught psychiatry and mental health, as well as developed French
language e-learning information in general psychiatry under the Francophone
Cooperation Framework for medical students in 2008.
"Dr. Choulamany's efforts demonstrate
how one individual can make a difference in raising awareness of mental health
issues and fighting stigma," said Husseini K. Manji, MD, Global
Therapeutic Area Head for Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development,
LLC. "Each year, Janssen seeks to recognize deserving individuals for
their work to reduce mental health stigma in communities around the world. Dr.
Choulamany's work is especially commendable and has an impact on countless
lives throughout her country."
The Dr. Guislain "Breaking the Chains of
Stigma" Award was created in 2011 to honor the legacy of Dr. Joseph
Guislain (1797-1860), the first Belgian psychiatrist to provide scientifically
based treatment for patients with mental illness and a staunch patient
advocate. Both the Dr. Guislain Museum and Janssen share a rich heritage and
long-standing involvement in the field of mental illness research, treatment
and education. For nearly 30 years, the Museum has dedicated itself to educate
the public and rectify the misunderstandings and prejudice associated with
treatment for mental illness.
The Dr. Guislain Award program is a joint
project of the Dr. Guislain Museum and Janssen Research & Development, LLC.
Janssen provides financial and in-kind support for the program. Dr. Choulamany will receive a $50,000 prize
that must be used toward further work to reduce societal stigma about mental
health and disorders of the brain.
Janssen's sponsorship of this award reflects
its more than 50-year commitment to help find solutions for patients with
mental illness. An important component of the Healthy Minds initiative of the
Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, the award 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, as well as support the mental health community and
various advocacy organizations and projects.
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