Olympic Sprinter, Beth Dobbin, speaks to Young Epilepsy about the mental health impact of living with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is not a mental health condition, yet children and young people with epilepsy are four times more likely to develop mental health problems than their peers.
To help address the situation, Young Epilepsy has now launched a petition to call on healthcare leaders across the UK to ensure that every child with epilepsy is offered mental health screening and support as an integrated part of their paediatric epilepsy care.
Young Epilepsy trustee, Professor Helen Cross OBE, has just been ranked one of the world’s most influential scientists on Clarivate’s annual ‘Highly Cited Researchers List’ 2021, which recognises authors of the most influential research papers around the world.
A survey of over 240 young people with epilepsy has found that 77% said living with the condition has had a significant impact on their mental wellbeing. This includes their thoughts, feelings and how they are able to cope with everyday life.
Your dedication is making a lasting difference to thousands of young lives across the UK. With your help, more children and young people who are living with epilepsy can get the support they need to thrive and fulfil their potential.
Following an exciting collaboration with experienced MEG researchers, clinicians and engineers from around the world, the team have created a wearable optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography (OPM-MEG) system. The charity has placed this innovative technology, which is integrated into a magnetically shielded room, at the centre of its new diagnostic suite.
If you have autism, you are more likely to have epilepsy than someone without autism. We know that worldwide approximately 8.4 million people have both conditions, and they face some of the starkest inequalities in the world.
Young Epilepsy is the operating name of The National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy Charitable Trust. | |
