Birmingham – 10^th October 2002 – to coincide with World Mental Health Day, 1 in 100, a health awareness campaign designed to help people experiencing schizophrenia, their families and friends to make informed choices about their treatment programme, launched in the West Midlands.

One in every hundred people in the UK may develop schizophrenia and many more family members are affected. 1 in 100 aims to offer a wide range of information about schizophrenia to those living with the condition. It is sponsored by Janssen-Cilag Ltd and Organon in collaboration with the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) West Midlands and Rethink.

The campaign will work to encourage knowledge in two ways. Firstly, by helping to make people more aware of the choices of treatment available and secondly, by stressing the importance of having an informed relationship with the doctor, therefore allowing the patient to be more involved in their own treatment process.

Dr Lynne Jones, Labour MP for Birmingham Selly Oak commented, "There is an overwhelming need for improved choice, awareness and education for people with schizophrenia, their friends, families and carers. This initiative provides an excellent opportunity and undoubtedly is a step forward in improving the understanding and awareness of this condition and of ways to better help those affected."

Local expert Dr David Shiers GP in North Staffordshire added, "When psychosis affected a member of my family it was brought home to me just how inappropriate services were for young people.  These young people and their families need a service designed to meet their needs as young people, they need help to maintain friendships, valued occupation and recreation, their families need support, and they need good treatments.  In June this year the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) presented its guidelines encouraging a wider use of atypical (modern) antipsychotics across England and Wales.   Patients, clinicians and local authorities are now faced with a situation, which requires, more than ever before, improved informed patient/doctor relationships and choices. By promoting choice we can better achieve the ultimate goal to improve the quality of life for everyone involved - both people with schizophrenia and their families. So i am advocating for good drug treatments alongside a range of other supports and interventions.  In other words a 'both/and' rather than an 'either/or'.   Fundamentally these young people need a society that values them and not one that rights them off.. So perhaps more than anything else what these young people and their families need is some hope."

The 1 in 100 campaign will offer people the opportunity to receive an information pack. The pack provides facts about schizophrenia, plus details of a range of treatments. It will also contain a list of questions to help individuals and their families have a discussion with their doctor about the best treatment options for them.

Pauline Arksey, Chair of Carers in Partnership (West Midlands) and a member of Rethink Midlands committee, commented, "Any initiative that increases the availability of good quality information about mental illness is to be welcomed in the West Midlands and across the UK. There are a number of treatment options available for people with schizophrenia that people are unaware of – this severely limits choice. In light of the recent guidelines announced by NICE, Rethink wants everyone to be aware of what treatments are on offer, how they work and how to get them."

Physicians, nurses and the public can visit the 1 in 100 website at www.oneinonehundred.co.uk to find out more about the campaign and request an information pack. Alternatively, they can call the 1 in 100 call centre on 0800 587 1153 to request a pack.

Janssen-Cilag Ltd, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is the manufacturer of Risperdal™ (risperidone), an atypical antispychotic.

As part of its commitment to the field of mental health, Janssen-Cilag Ltd has recently implemented an awareness raising campaign, 1 in 100 which aims to provide people living with schizophrenia and their carers with information and support. In addition, Janssen-Cilag Ltd will be the proud sponsors of the 2002 Hospital Doctors Awards and a TV documentary award at this year’s Mental Health Media Awards.

• One in every hundred people in the UK may experience schizophrenia and many more family members are affected.

• 1 in 100 is a new healthcare awareness campaign dedicated to helping people with schizophrenia receive the best possible treatment. It is sponsored by Janssen-Cilag Ltd and Organon.

• The campaign is designed to help people have a better understanding of the illness and the range of treatments available to them. The campaign stresses the importance of having an informed relationship with the doctor and other healthcare professionals involved in caring for someone with schizophrenia.

• 1 in 100 offers people the opportunity to receive an information pack, providing facts about schizophrenia and information on a range of treatments. It also contains a list of questions to help people and their families have a discussion with their doctor about the best treatment options for them.

• The campaign was piloted in London in November 2001. Following its launch in the West Midlands it will be rolled-out across various regions in the UK, focussing primarily on the North/North West of England in 2003.

• The campaign will be launched in the West Midlands to the general public on 10^th October 2002, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.

• The campaign aims to improve the quality of life for everyone involved – people with schizophrenia, their families and friends.

• The 1 in 100 initiative is sponsored by Janssen Cilag Ltd and Organon, in partnership with National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) West Midlands and Rethink.