Words by GOLD newsdesk
A new campaign titled ‘Depression Looks Like Me’ – developed by and for the LGBTQ+ community – was launched by Janssen on 18 May 2022.
The campaign seeks to inspire action and empathy for people living with depression, creating a safe space to champion voices of the community and provide resources for LGBTQ+ people.
Through its website, the campaign shares stories from people living with depression, as well as details on possible treatment options, and LGBTQ+ friendly resources including links to online trained counsellors and vetted support hotlines.
Janssen worked closely with the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, as well as leading mental health and LGBTQ+ advocacy organisations to develop the campaign, which is part of the company’s broader ‘Our Race to Health Equity’ initiative.
“Depression is a serious, life-altering medical condition that’s further complicated for the LGBTQ+ community by stigma and lack of culturally competent care that means many go undiagnosed, untreated and suffer in silence,” said Courtney Billington, President, Neuroscience, Janssen Pharmaceuticals. “That’s why we partnered with members and leaders of the mental health and LGBTQ+ communities to create Depression Looks Like Me—to work together and show the community they are seen, heard and worthy of receiving care to meet their specific needs.”
Members of the LGBTQ+ community are three times as likely to have mental health conditions compared to the general population. This campaign serves as a step forward in encouraging the community to come forward and seek out help.
This launch comes off the back of this year’s mental health awareness week in the UK (9-15 May) and May’s mental health awareness month in the US.
