Epilepsy charity's appeal to young people

Young people in the North East who have epilepsy are being urged to help a charity campaign for them to have better support.

Young Epilepsy estimates that there are over 4,500 children and young people with the condition in the NorthEast and – during this National Epilepsy week - the charity is asking them to share their experiences of how epilepsy affects their mental wellbeing.

It is calling on them to fill in an anonymous survey on its website www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/OnTopOfEpilepsy to help better understand the everyday challenges of living with the condition – and help start a national conversation about what support would be most beneficial.

The initiative is part of the charity’s new #OnTopOfEpilepsy campaign that will focus on highlighting the link between epilepsy and mental health.

Mark Devlin, chiefYoung Epilepsy, said :“On top of the physical challenges of living with their epilepsy, children and young people face extra struggles such as dealing with the side-effects of medication, anxiety about having a seizure, concerns about school or missing out on normal growing-up activities.

“Sharing their experiences will help us make the case for better mental health support .”

He added: “The comments and recommendations will also contribute to a mental well being resource, developed with and for young people with epilepsy.”

The charity say mental health is often a forgotten element of epilepsy care and the charity’s recent survey of young people with thethat less than half had an opportunity to discuss the impact of the condition on their mental health.