Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy organisation, is hosting a seminar on epilepsy and depression. Leading Professor Mike Kerr, Honorary Professor of Neuropsychiatry at Cardiff University, will be speaking at the event.
The workshop will take place on Saturday 17 September at The Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast, from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
The role of the workshop is to discuss depression and epilepsy. Professor Mike Kerr will provide a medical view on why some people with epilepsy experience depression from time to time. Vicki Worsley, from Mindful Space, will be talking about meditation techniques that help to ease depression.
Morina Clarke, Epilepsy Action’s Northern Ireland Manager, said “The event is aimed at people with epilepsy and their families. There is no lower age limit but the workshop is aimed more at adolescents and adults. Field workers and nurses would also be welcome. If you experience depression living with your epilepsy, this workshop will be of particular interest to you. We believe this topic will attract interest from a large group of people so booking is essential.”
Mike Kerr is Professsor of Learning Disability Psychiatry and Honorary Consultant in Neuropsychiatry at Cardiff University. He initially trained as a general practitioner before deciding to train in psychiatry. His clinical practice is in the types of epilepsy associated with learning disability and in the assessment and treatment of epilepsy and psychiatric disorder. Professor Kerr has published widely on the subject of health care delivery for people with a learning disability.
Vicki Worsley has over 20 years experience in her field. She is an experienced mindfulness practitioner, counsellor and trainer. The UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently endorsed mindfulness meditation training as an effective treatment for prevention of relapse in people with depression. Research has shown that people who have been clinically depressed three or more times (sometimes for twenty years or more) find that taking following mindfulness and learning these skills helps to considerably reduce the chance that depression will return.
Tickets cost £19.00 for delegates (£10.00 concessions), £12 for Epilepsy Action members (or £8.00 member concessions). for further information, please contact Joanne Baker on 0113 210 8884, or email jbaker@epilepsy.org.uk
For further information about the work of Epilepsy Action, please visit www.epilepsy.org.uk or call the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.