Describe any restrictions or regulations regarding Healthcare/RX/Pharma communications in your country/region including:

In Australia, communications to healthcare professionals are strictly regulated. Regulatory codes require all communications to be clinically accurate, fair and balanced. While this piece is non-promotional so is not technically required to adhere to these codes, the principles have been generally applied.

Describe the target audience and why your work is relevant to them.

The target audience was Australian psychiatrists who treat patients with schizophrenia. While these psychiatrists see the same patient over months or even years, they rarely spend time with the patient’s family. Therefore, they may not fully appreciate the impact that multiple psychotic episodes (relapses), have on these family members. Relapses

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

Target Audience: Australian psychiatrists. People with schizophrenia often hear voices – auditory hallucinations that can be distressing and disturbing. These voices get worse and the brain is irreparably damaged with each psychotic episode or ‘relapse’, which can lead to family breakdown, homelessness and even suicide. But schizophrenia patients aren’t the only ones haunted by voices. The inner thoughts of their family members and doctors also become increasingly desperate and despairing as they watch the patient’s condition deteriorate and the family fall apart with each relapse. This film brings these voices to life. It demonstrates that you don’t have to have schizophrenia to suffer from it. The message to psychiatrists is clear – if you treat to prevent relapse by using effective medication, you have the opportunity to help many.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

Psychiatrists (the target audience) are rarely, if ever, exposed to their schizophrenia patients’ wider families. They are however, constantly bombarded with patient case studies in all forms of media. Uniquely, this film does not feature a schizophrenia patient at all. The failure of schizophrenia patients to consistently take their oral medication is a big cause of concern for psychiatrists, one that often results in psychotic episodes or ‘relapses’. Repeated relapses can in turn lead to family breakdown, homelessness and even suicide. 'Voices of relapse' highlights the need for medicine that effectively treats schizophrenia by preventing relapse. Janssen Neuroscience, who funded this project, provide the most effective schizophrenia treatments and specialise in long-acting injectable medications that are administered by healthcare professionals, ensuring that patients adhere to treatment. The film was shared at psychiatric medical conferences, where Janssen Representatives were on hand to discuss their latest treatments, and online.