# data[].attributes.body
Mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression are common in young people with epilepsy. Research suggests 37% of 5 to 15 year olds with epilepsy had a co-existing mental health condition. Findings from Young Epilepsy in 2021 show that 77% of young people say living with epilepsy has had a significant impact on their mental wellbeing, including their thoughts, feelings, and how they’re able to cope with everyday life. Despite this, recent findings from Epilepsy12 in 2024 show that less than two-thirds of children and young people with epilepsy and a mental health problem had received any kind of mental health support.

We have brought together some resources to help you build and maintain your mental wellbeing. You and your family will be able to access many of these without being referred by a professional. There are also opportunities to connect with other children and young people who have Epilepsy.

For general information about epilepsy and living with epilepsy, please visit the NHS website here: Information about epilepsy (NHS)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mental Health and Epilepsy | Young Epilepsy

# data[].attributes.body
Young Epilepsy works with children and young people with epilepsy, to ensure their voices are heard and their rights protected. They deliver health services and research that improve diagnosis and treatments. They support children and young people throughout school, college, and university, and provide information, friendly advice, and practical help for living everyday life.

Young Epilepsy provide a Mental health wellbeing space which you can access by clicking here

Young Epilepsy also provide Virtual Youth Groups which you can access by clicking here

The Channel is an online space for young people living with epilepsy. Here you can find trusted advice and honest answers, and read real stories about life with epilepsy.

For Parents & Carers, Young Epilepsy provides lots of advice and support. You can download a free guide for parents by clicking here

Young Epilepsy’s Support & inclusion team works with children and young people with epilepsy aged up to 25 years old who have a range of abilities and needs. Their Youth support coordinators provide one-to-one guidance, whole-family support and social get-togethers for children and young people with epilepsy, and their families.

To contact Young Epilepsy with a general enquiry about their youth service please use this contact form here

If you think you or your child needs support from Young Epilepsy’s Youth support coordinators, for one-to-one or group support, please click here and submit the form

# data[].attributes.body
Epilepsy Action is a charity that improves the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy. They provide information, advice and support for people with epilepsy and their families.

Epilepsy Action provide lots of support, including a phone helpline: Helpline: 0808 800 5050

They provide lots of useful information online, one-to-one support through their befriending service, and Virtual Support Groups. Their online support groups provide a safe space to talk and ask questions, share experiences, and a chance to connect with others.

For the Support group for Parents/Carers of Children with epilepsy, click here to go to Eventbrite

Epilepsy Action also offer free online learning. The ‘Your Child and Epilepsy’ course is a free, online 8 part course which you can do at your own pace. The aim of the course is to provide parents and carers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to care for and support children with epilepsy.

Click here to access the Your Child and Epilepsy course on the Epilepsy Action Learning website

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Epilepsy Society’s confidential helpline is available for anyone affected by epilepsy. We welcome…

# data[].attributes.body
For information, advice and support about mental health for children, teenagers, and parents, visit this NHS website here.

For advice for parents, please click here.

To learn about Children and young people’s mental health services, click here.

To find out more about mental health support for children and young people, please click here

Click here to download your free parent guide to supporting your child with anxiety

The NHS Every Mind Matters website provides more information about mental health and mental wellbeing, both caring for yourself and how to support others. Click here for advice about looking after a young person’s mental health: Children’s mental health – Every Mind Matters – NHS

If you are worried about your child’s mental health, click here: I’m worried about my child :: Healthier Together

# data[].attributes.body
In an emergency, please call 999 or go to A&E.

If you or someone close to you is having a mental health crisis and you need urgent support, you can call 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk/triage/check-your-mental-health-symptoms

Alternatively, you can call the relevant 24/7 mental health crisis lines below. These free support lines can provide advice to anyone in a crisis and are open 24/7 365 days a year. These mental health crisis lines are for people of any age (children, young people, and adults) and are supported by trained mental health advisors:

North West London

Brent, Hillingdon, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster

0800 0234 650

Ealing, Hounslow, Hammersmith and Fulham

0800 328 4444

North Central London

Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington

0800 151 0023

North East London

City & Hackney

0800 073 0006

Newham

0800 073 0066

Tower Hamlets

0800 073 0003

Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest

0300 555 1000

# data[].attributes.body
YoungMinds is a charity that offers information and advice to young people, parents and carers about mental health. They have a free parents helpline and online chat service, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Young people looking for support with their mental health should click here.

For Parents, they provide lots of useful information and advice about how to get support from mental health services for your child, which can be accessed by clicking here

# data[].attributes.body
The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25. They help with a wide range of topics, including mental health, via their online support groups, online one to one chat function, and free online counselling service.

Access The Mix’s Mental Health Support Hub by clicking here

# data[].attributes.body
Good Thinking provides a range of resources to help Londoners improve their mental wellbeing. Visit their page for Young People here: https://www.good-thinking.uk/youngpeople

# data[].attributes.body
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online counselling service for young people. Their team of mental health professionals can provide free 1:1 support.

Click here to find out more.

# data[].attributes.body
HappyMaps is an award-winning charity founded by healthcare professionals in collaboration with parents and young people. We understand the challenges families face when seeking help and how time-consuming it can be to navigate online information and find resources you trust. Let HappyMaps be your guide in finding the support you need, along with accurate information and recommended resources endorsed by CAMHS and fellow parents and young people.

https://www.happymaps.co.uk/

# data[].attributes.body
Shout is a free, confidential and 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK. Shout’s trained volunteers are available around the clock to listen and support anyone who is suicidal, depressed, anxious or overwhelmed. The service is anonymous and does not show up on phone bills. Click here to find out more.

To get help, text SHOUT to 85258. To let them know you have epilepsy and start a conversation, text PURPLE to 85258. (Note: You must text not WhatsApp)

# data[].attributes.body
Support line: 0300 102 1234

Mind are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).

Their support line is a safe space for you to talk about your mental health. Their advisors are trained to listen to you and help you find specialist support if you need it.

Talk to them if:

You want a safe and confidential place to talk openly about your feelings

You want someone to listen to you and help you to find the right steps to take for your mental health

You’re looking for emotional support for your mental health and wellbeing

They are not a crisis service. If you’re in crisis, visit their crisis helplines page.

Infoline: 0300 123 3393

Ask them about:

Mental health problems

Where to get help near you

Treatment options

Advocacy services

Welfare benefits (ask to speak to a welfare adviser)

Other ways to contact them:
Email: info@mind.org.uk

How to support 11-18 year olds with their mental health – Mind for Parents

Information for young people on mental health and wellbeing – Mind for Young People

# data[].attributes.body
Barnardo’s is a leading children’s charity who, for over 150 years, have been making sure children and young people feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful, by running over 800 specialist services across the UK. Parents who are looking for support with being a parent or carer should click here.

For information and advice around Supporting your child’s mental health, please click here

# data[].attributes.body
Every council must publish a local offer. A local offer is a wide range of information about all the support and facilities which families can expect to find in their area for children and young people. It should include information about education, health and care provision.

Explore your local offer by clicking on the links below

If your local area is not listed, Google your local area + ‘local offer’ to find your Local Offer.

East and North East London:

Tower Hamlets Local Offer

Redbridge Local Offer

Newham Local Offer

Waltham Forest Local Offer

North West London:

Brent Local Offer

Harrow Local Offer

Ealing Local Offer

# data[].attributes.body
The Sleep Charity is a free helpline that is run by trained sleep advisors, many of whom are specialists in working with SEND. They can talk to young people directly, or parents (they can also talk to adults, including older people, about their sleep issues).

Click here for The Sleep Charity

# data[].attributes.body
Sibs is a charity that supports siblings of people with disabilities. It is the only UK charity representing the needs of over half a million young siblings and over one and a half million adult siblings. They provide information, support and training on sibling issues for adult siblings, young siblings, parents and professionals.

Click here for Sibs

# data[].attributes.body
The Challenging Behaviour Foundation is a registered charity focussed specifically on children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges. We are making a difference to the lives of children, young people and adults with severe learning disabilities whose behaviour challenges, by providing information, support and workshops to families and professionals, and advocating for families.

Click here for The Challenging Behaviour Foundation

# data[].attributes.body
Scope is a disability equality charity in England and Wales. We provide practical information and emotional support when it’s most needed, and campaign relentlessly to create a fairer society. There is a telephone helpline, an online community, and online advice and support.

Click here for Scope