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Recognizing National Epilepsy Awareness Month
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), and the call to action is “All In for National Epilepsy Awareness Month.” This year’s theme is about showing up and doing what we can to support epilepsy awareness. Each of us commits to taking action for the epilepsy community, by learning more about epilepsy, sharing a story, wearing purple, or supporting someone with epilepsy. Together, we can build a stronger, more informed community.
Being All In doesn’t mean doing everything; it means doing something to raise awareness and reduce stigma. Every action counts, and together, we can make a difference. We ensure that no one faces epilepsy alone.
Go All In for NEAM
This November, go All In for National Epilepsy Awareness Month. Join the Epilepsy Foundation of America and our partners in taking action big and small. Start impactful conversations, get involved to help keep our communities safe, and push for progress through advocacy and research. Together, we’re building a stronger future for everyone affected by epilepsy.
Share your Story
Our blog is a place to share your experiences with epilepsy and the difficulties you’ve overcome. Your epilepsy story is powerful and can give people hope, empowerment, and safety. Submit story.
Sign Up for a Free Seizure First Aid Training
The Seizure Recognition and First Aid certification training provides information to increase the knowledge, skills, and confidence in recognizing seizures and safely administering seizure first aid. Encourage your friends and family to register for a free seizure first aid training in honor of National Epilepsy Awareness Month. You and your family can also register our for our seizure first aid trainings in Spanish.
Share on Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool to leverage in your epilepsy journey. Whether you’re a person with epilepsy or a caregiver, it can connect you with others going through the same things you are. Use #NEAM2025 and #AllInForEpilepsy and share facts, information, or your personal experiences with your followers on social to spread awareness during this special month. You can also encourage others to share the Epilepsy Foundation’s posts and re-share our content to help raise awareness! Connect, share, and educate on social media.
Participate with Your Local Community
Get involved and make a difference right in your own neighborhood. Find your local Epilepsy Foundation and sign up for NEAM activities tailored to your community. Whether it’s a walk, fundraiser, educational event, or volunteer opportunity, there’s something meaningful for everyone.
Quick Facts About Epilepsy
Sharing facts about epilepsy helps raise awareness and stop stigma surrounding seizures. By educating the public, we can promote understanding and encourage support for individuals living with epilepsy. Knowledge empowers communities to provide better care, offer assistance during seizures, and create a more inclusive and compassionate environment. We’ve compiled some facts about epilepsy and seizures for you to share on social media or with your friends and family to help them learn more.
- 1 in 10 people will have a seizure and 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy during their lifetime.
- There are approximately 3.4 million people living with epilepsy in the United States; about 456,000 of them are children.
- Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can affect any one of us regardless of race, age, or gender.
- Seizures are a symptom of epilepsy. Not all seizures are the same. Many people with epilepsy have more than one type of seizure.
- Misunderstanding and misinformation about seizures contribute to continued feelings of stigmatization and negative outcomes for people with epilepsy.1
- People with epilepsy may experience “felt” stigma, which leads to shame about their condition and fear of discrimination if they talk about it.2
- Felt stigma was linked to higher seizure frequency, younger age at epilepsy onset or longer duration, lack of knowledge about epilepsy, and younger age.5
- Felt stigma can reduce the quality of life even when seizures are well controlled.6
References: Epilepsy & Behavior 2015 1, Epilepsia 2007 2, Epilepsia 2022 5, Epilepsy & Behavior 2021 6
We’re All In
Epilepsy affects everyone, everywhere. Here’s how we continue to help the epilepsy community:
Programs and Education
From live On-Demand certification courses to 30-minute basic steps training, our seizure first aid program educates the public on approved procedures for recognizing seizures and responding to someone having a seizure. We will be hosting a Seizure Recognition and First Aid Certification Training in recognition of NEAM on November 4.
Advocacy
We advocate to improve the lives of people affected by epilepsy through education, advocacy, research, and connection. Now more than ever, it is critical for the entire epilepsy community to SPEAK UP and speak with ONE VOICE to try and protect epilepsy programs and research. Take action through our tool to email your members of Congress about your concerns. We strongly encourage advocates to personalize these messages by sharing information about their own experiences as a member of the epilepsy community. You can take action on a variety of issues, including funding for epilepsy research and programs.
Research and Innovation
Our epilepsy research ecosystem covers all parts of therapy, from ideas to market. It includes innovation programs that test new concepts; engagement programs that improve communication; digital tools that support research infrastructure; and funding that supports young researchers.
