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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Elinor LaTouche, Executive Director of Epilepsy Institute, on Mental Health Needs for Epilepsy Patients
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Elinor LaTouche, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Institute, testified about the mental health needs of individuals with epilepsy in New York City. She highlighted the prevalence of epilepsy, its impact on mental health, and the services provided by the Epilepsy Institute to address these issues.
- The Epilepsy Institute offers psychological counseling, psychiatry, and vocational support services.
- Depression is the most frequent comorbidity of epilepsy, with patients often experiencing anxiety and isolation.
- The organization provided 6,200 therapeutic interventions in New York City in fiscal year 2024 and offers remote services when necessary.
- They also provide free seizure first aid training to NYC agencies and organizations, including law enforcement.
Elinor LaTouche
1:29:51
Can you hear me?
1:29:52
Okay.
1:29:53
On behalf of the many New Yorkers who live with or care about someone impacted by epilepsy, I want to thank you, Commissioner Chair Lee Committee Chair Lee and Chair Narcisse for this opportunity to speak to you about the mental health needs of our constituents.
1:30:11
My name is Eleanor Lutouche.
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I'm the executive director of the Epilepsy Institute.
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We've been doing business as the Epilepsy Foundation of Metropolitan New York for over fifty years.
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We're New York City's only specialized organization combining epilepsy education, awareness and advocacy with individualized services such as psychological counseling, psychiatry, vocational supports.
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Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the world and one in ten people will have a seizure in their life time.
1:30:46
Thirty percent of people living with epilepsy are treatment resistant.
1:30:49
At our Article sixteen and thirty one clinics, our clients report anxiety, isolation and depression.
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Depression is the most frequent comorbidity of epilepsy.
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Our patients are often referred by their medical providers who recognize signs of mental illness.
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Sometimes that can be not showing up for appointments repeatedly.
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Our therapists use a variety of modalities including trauma informed treatment of depression in both individual and group support sessions as well as a self management workshop.
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When the symptoms of epilepsy or significant side effects from the medication make it difficult to leave the house, we pivot and provide remote services to support our patients to ensure continuity of service.
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We stand ready to support all New Yorkers through providing holistic supports to patients, families, and the communities.
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In fiscal 'twenty four, we provided 6,200 therapeutic interventions in New York City.
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The most people we serve receive weekly service.
Linda Lee
1:31:58
You have the rest.
1:31:59
It's okay.
1:31:59
Oh, no, no.
1:32:00
You can summarize it.
1:32:01
Yeah, Thank
Elinor LaTouche
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you.
1:32:03
Thank you.
1:32:04
Do provide free seizure first aid to people, New York City agencies and organizations, people understand what it looks like to have a seizure, how to respond.
1:32:17
We're currently offering seizure first aid to law enforcement and trying to ensure that when people are having a seizure they're not mistakenly incarcerated for failure to respond.
1:32:33
Thank you and I appreciate your time.