VIENNA, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

• Interim results of the unique European initiative Tell us!  by the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft demonstrate great interest and active participation, especially in Germany, Austria, the USA and Russia 
• The closing date has been extended because of the encouraging response  
• Until July 6^th, affected people, their families and experts can submit suggestions and help shape the study of mental illnesses in the future on http://www.redensiemit.org 

Vienna, June 3rd 2015 - Being involved instead of being affected: The positive response to the initiative Tell us! highlights that many patients and relatives are eager to share their experience and questions regarding mental illnesses. The platform http://www.redensiemit.org provides an opportunity to make suggestions concerning which unsolved problems and research questions in terms of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses should be addressed. For the first time, citizens are able to actively shape science. Contributing to this unique initiative in Europe is still possible until July 6^th.

 "We received a three-digit-number of high quality contributions for the future study of mental illnesses in the first six weeks of the initiative. Because of the high number of enquiries by interested parties who asked for more time to elaborate on their suggestions, we have decided to extend the Open Innovation platform for four more weeks" says Claudia Lingner, CEO of the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft. "The response so far has confirmed our assumption that there is a need for patients, as well as their relatives and friends, to share their personal experiences and questions regarding the study of mental illnesses. Also other research projects can benefit from the insights obtained by this Open Innovation process in health research, thus contributing to the scientific community at large."

New interest from around the world by those affected and their families  

The 7,000 visitors on our website, where participants can draft their inputs, are patients, relatives and experts from 63 countries - particularly from Germany, Austria, the USA and Russia. Every eighth submission was made by a patient, every fourth by a family member. Every fifth post was written by a psychologist or a psychotherapist and every twentieth even by a physician. Different age groups from 20 up to 70 years of age are equally represented, whereas the number of female participants (60 per cent) is slightly higher than that of male participants - that is the current status.

"We hope to attract the same amount of interest in this new process of doing science in the remaining four weeks", says Claudia Lingner. An international panel of experts will analyze the contributions after the closing date and compile the findings for the community to vote on in the fall of this year. Subsequently, the identified research topics, as well as the learnings gained from this particular innovation process will be published.

About Open Innovation in Science 

The Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft has started the initiative Tell us! in spring 2015 in order to enable interested parties and affected people to take part in the research process by generating research questions. The focus of the initiative lies on mental health and it is part of an ongoing project dealing with Open Innovation in Science. Opening up the innovation process at pre-determined points in time allows for outside knowledge to improve research.

For more information visit: http://www.openinnovationinscience.at.

About the Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft  

The Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft is Austria's independent research incubator which focuses on Health Sciences. 550 employees work in 18 research institutions. According to its motto "close to people", LBS focuses on research questions that are relevant for society.

Contact for further information
Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft
Dr. Lucia Malfent
Project Manager Open Innovation in Science
Tel: +43(0)1-513-27-50-21
Mobil: +43(0)676-392-19-40
E-Mail: lucia.malfent@lbg.ac.at

SOURCE Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft