Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
by Alice Struthers, Programme Director, Neurological Alliance of Scotland
This Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 21 May 2023) we want to focus on everyone who lives with a neurological condition, many of whom struggle with their mental health.
There are an estimated 600 neurological conditions, many of which are rare and difficult to diagnose. Some, like multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and ME are fluctuating, so people live with a sense of not knowing when they might have a relapse or have a seizure, or if they are in a relapse, when they might start to feel better. Some neurological conditions are life-long, like cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy, all of which cause disabilities that also have a huge impact on families and care givers. Some, like dementia, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s are degenerative and rob the person of their independence, mobility and mental cognition over time.
Raising Awareness and support for those with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is a relatively rare neurodegenerative condition that may affect anyone from the age of 30 years old, though most commonly people are in their mid-50s when diagnosed. There are thought to be around 4000 people at any point in time across the UK and Ireland who have MSA.
Scottish Parliament debate led by Alexander Burnett
The Neurological Alliance of Scotland with colleagues visited the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 15th November 2022 as Alexander Burnett led the debate for Improving Outcomes for People with Neurological Conditions and highlighting the 1 in 6 report.
See the link to watch the debate in full.
And the transcript of the meeting is in the link below.
Meeting of the Parliament: 15/11/2022 | Scottish Parliament Website
The National Care Service needs a blueprint, a schedule and a budget
By Tanith Muller Chair Neurological Alliance of Scotland
About 1 in 6 of us has a neurological condition that has a significant impact on our lives. And people with neurological conditions need an effective National Care Service.
As a rule, if your condition involves the brain or nervous system, things can be difficult. You might have physical and sensory impairments, communication issues or severe pain. Seizures, problems with thinking, mental ill health and fatigue are also common. Some neurological conditions are terminal, many progressive or lifelong. And for too many people, treatments are limited.
Back the 1 in 6
The Scotland report to the National Neurology Patient Experience Survey has now been published. We are grateful to the 834 people in Scotland who took part in the survey, sharing their experiences about living with a neurological condition.
Our findings show that:
- Nearly half of adults and over half of children experienced delays accessing a routine neurology appointment
- Five times more children were awaiting diagnosis than adults
- Delays are contributing to a mental health crisis
- 4 in 10 adults say their mental health needs are not being met 'at all'
- Receiving a life changing diagnosis is scary, and yet a fifth of adults and a quarter of children said they received no explanation about their condition.
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