Campaign highlights low expectations among patients with depression
pharmafile | May 7, 2026 | News story | |Â Â Johnson & Johnson, major depressive disorder (MDD)Â
A new global awareness campaign from Johnson & Johnson is aiming to encourage people with major depressive disorder (MDD) to discuss ongoing symptoms and treatment goals with healthcare professionals (HCPs), following survey findings suggesting many patients do not expect to achieve remission.
The ‘Generation Fine’ campaign was developed with input from mental health advocates and Mental Health America. It is based on a survey conducted across seven countries involving 850 adults being treated with oral antidepressants and 800 HCPs.
According to the findings, nearly four in five patients with MDD said they did not believe antidepressants would help them achieve remission or fully address their symptoms. Almost three-quarters reported that residual symptoms continued to affect daily life, while around 90% said symptoms influenced their performance at work.
Patients also reported difficulties discussing ongoing symptoms with clinicians. Among those who had not raised concerns with an HCP, 40% said they lacked the time or energy to start the conversation, while one-third did not believe their provider would be able to offer further solutions.
MDD affects an estimated 332 million people worldwide and remains one of the leading causes of disability globally. While antidepressants can be effective for some patients, many continue to experience persistent symptoms despite treatment.
Jessica Jackson, Vice President of Alliance Development at Mental Health America, said stigma and a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ to treatment could leave patients feeling ‘unseen or misunderstood’.
The campaign also includes patient stories from people living with depression, alongside contributions from mental health advocates and clinicians. Former NFL player Kyle Long described the importance of speaking openly with HCPs and support networks about depression, while psychiatrist Jessi Gold said patients should not feel they need to settle for outcomes that are merely ‘fine’.
Johnson & Johnson said the initiative is intended to support more informed conversations between patients and healthcare providers about treatment expectations and symptom management.
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