Epilepsy Action Australia

Epilepsy Action Australia (EAA) is committed to delivering an equitable and consistent service to all people in Australia and is working to deliver higher, national levels of support, building services around health education and interventions to facilitate self-management. EAA has delivered services nationwide for more than a decade and is the largest provider of specialist epilepsy services in the community for people with epilepsy. For several years EAA has been working on a national service strategy as the solution to the problem of meeting the needs of Australians living with epilepsy - incorporating the design of innovative services and delivery tools to facilitate the availability of comprehensive services across Australia, accessible to people with epilepsy, their families and their carers, no matter where they live. EAA has developed high level staff expertise and a rich base of information about epilepsy, particularly vested in our Epilepsy Nurse Educators. We deliver services via phone, videoconference and internet and have a physical presence in most states and territories. Clients indicate that living with epilepsy can be isolating and the diagnosis is often associated with anxiety and depression. To respond to the emotional and psychosocial needs of people with epilepsy EAA provides Adventure Therapy Camps that allow people with epilepsy to experience the dignity of risk in a supported environment. These programs build confidence, self esteem, trust and courage as well as teach life skills and provide opportunities for meeting others with epilepsy.