Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) is a thief. Caused by either an infection or the immune system attacking the brain in error, as many as 4 in 10 people depending on the cause of encephalitis will sadly not survive the condition, even with treatment. Even in those families where the person survives, it robs them of the person they once knew often leaving people with life-changing problems. Encephalitis steals their capacity to remember as well as their personalities and the types of abilities we all generally take for granted: concentration, attention, thinking, judgement, inhibition. For many there are additional outcomes and recent research has particularly highlighted the poor mental health outcomes of those affected.
Encephalitis affects 6,000 children and adults across the UK every year and Encephalitis International provide a "light in a very dark place" to support anyone facing life after encephalitis. Our My Brain: My Mental Health project will be an extension of our support service and will introduce tailored and bespoke mental health support to children, young people, and their families affected by encephalitis. Through new and improved information resources, peer to peer support, events and connection opportunities, our mission is for this project to help empower families to rebuild their lives following this devastating brain condition.