BC EPILEPSY SOCIETY

#610- 4180 Lougheed Highway

Burnaby, BC V5C 4B3

Phone: 604-875-6704   Fax: 1-604-260-0978

Email: deirdre@bcepilepsy.com   Website: www.bcepilepsy.com

The BC Epilepsy Society is a provincially incorporated non-profit organization and a federally registered charitable organization dedicated to providing client support, education, information, resources and community support to the over 50,000 people living with epilepsy and their families. We empower, educate, and support British Columbians living with epilepsy and their families, and fund research to find a cure. We provide client support services, seizure education in schools and workplaces, hospital clinic support services, our in-person Speaking of Epilepsy Lecture Series, our Epilepsy Expert Webinar Series as well as a newsletter and resource library. Through resource development, we are able to provide support groups and our camp subsidy and bursary program for children and youth. There are no barriers to accessing our programs and services as they are free of charge and available in our offices, within community spaces, at epilepsy clinics at hospitals throughout BC and by phone, email and online via Zoom.

Programs & Services:

  • BC Epilepsy Society’s Mental Wellness Program: BC Epilepsy Society’s Mental Wellness Program is a one-on-one counselling program for people living with epilepsy and their immediate family who have an epilepsy related purpose for seeking counselling. Our counsellors are either Registered Clinical Counsellors or Canadian Certified Counsellors and the majority of them live with epilepsy themselves. They have also attended an epilepsy training program. Visit https://bcepilepsy.com/programs/bc-epilepsy-societys-mental-wellness-program/ for more information.
  • Connecting with Others: The BC Epilepsy Society offers people living with epilepsy and their families, friends, and loved ones the opportunity to meet other inspirational people who truly understand life with epilepsy. Whether we are laughing together or sharing tips and tricks we have learned along the way, connecting with others makes the journey much more fun! Groups include our In-Person Peer Group, our Online Peer Group, our Family Peer Group, our Young Adults Peer Group, our Youth Network and our Parents Network. Groups are offered via both online and in-person means. Visit http://bcepilepsy.com/programs/connecting-with-others for more information.
  • Epilepsy Workshops: The BC Epilepsy Society provides free educational workshops on epilepsy awareness and seizure first aid and safety at schools, workplaces and other organizations across BC. The Epilepsy Workshops cover epilepsy awareness, how to recognize the different types of seizures, the general guidelines of seizure first aid, some of the safety considerations involved with epilepsy. Visit https://bcepilepsy.com/programs/epilepsy-workshops/ for a list of workshops and resources.
  • Project UPLIFT: Project UPLIFT (Using Practice and Learning to Increase Favourable Thoughts) is an 8-week program that uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness to teach people living with epilepsy a valuable skill set that may reduce depression and improve quality of life in people living with epilepsy. Visit http://bcepilepsy.com/programs/project-uplift for more information.
  • HOBSCOTCH: The BC Epilepsy Society’s HOBSCOTCH (HOme-Based Self-management and COgnitive Training CHanges lives) program is a memory program for people living with epilepsy and is an evidence-based program. The program is designed to help adults with seizures find ways to manage and cope with memory problems in order to lead happier, more productive lives. The program consists of 8 sessions delivered by a certified HOBSCOTCH Memory Coach. The sessions occur weekly, are conducted over Zoom and last 45-60 minutes. Visit https://bcepilepsy.com/hobscotch/ for more information.
  • New Diagnosis Program: The BC Epilepsy Society’s New Diagnosis Group offers participants an interactive opportunity to learn about their epilepsy and the practical matters they will need to know. The New Diagnosis Group combines medical information with practical recommendations from the real-life experiences of facilitators living with epilepsy. Visit http://bcepilepsy.com/programs/new-diagnosis-group-new-program for more information.
  • Consultations: The BC Epilepsy Society’s staff provide consultations to people living with epilepsy and their loved ones across the province through one-on-one meetings. This includes assistance with finding resources and community services and providing information on seizure education, safety planning, and epilepsy self-management strategies. Please visit https://bcepilepsy.com/programs/consultations/ for more information.
    • Lecture Series & Educational Events: The BC Epilepsy Society hosts both in-person and online lecture series and educational events on a wide variety of epilepsy-related topics and the BC Epilepsy Society website is a host to a number of videos and presentations by experts in the field of epilepsy, allowing the uptake of up-to-date and accurate information on various topics related to epilepsy. Visit http://www.bcepilepsy.com/programs/lecture-series-educational-events for more information.
    • Epilepsy Expert Webinar Series: Professionals in various fields provide presentations via Zoom Webinars on a variety of topics that impact the daily lives of people living with epilepsy (ex. health, law, employment, etc.). Please visit http://bcepilepsy.com/programs/epilepsy-expert-webinar-series for more information.
    • Women in Mind: Women and girls with epilepsy have unique health concerns. As a result of these differences, women with epilepsy can face special challenges such as reproductive health, hormonal and menstrual cycles, contraception, bone health, parenting, menopause, and the usage of certain anti-epileptic medications. This program includes resource kits which contain information specifically for women and girls living with epilepsy. Also hosts lectures and highlight new developments and research about women’s health and epilepsy. A list of related Information Sheets, lectures, news alerts, research findings, and other useful sources of information can be found at http://www.bcepilepsy.com/programs/women-in-mind.
    • Bursary Program: Every year, the society receives designated donations specific for bursaries, which are awarded to residents of BC living with epilepsy who are entering or who are in a vocational, arts, technical or an academic post-secondary program. Visit https://bcepilepsy.com/bursaries/ for more information.

    Resources: Our resources includes our international I AM A VOICE for Epilepsy Awareness™ campaign that educates the public about epilepsy and increases epilepsy awareness; our media projects, including our Voice Epilepsy™ podcast series; our robust website with information reviewed by our Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) made up of some of BC’s top neurologists; and our lending library, brochures, newsletters, and medical information sheets