Stay Updated

Our St. Paul team is working remotely and available using electronic methods. We continue to provide programming and services to our entire service area including all of Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. The entire Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) team is committed to staying in contact and keeping you up to date on our response plan for COVID-19. The health and well-being of the epilepsy community is our top priority. Please use this page to stay updated with EFMN as we work on communicating important news and information to the community.

EFMN Updates:

• All five walks, originally scheduled for August and October, are moved to October 3, 2020. Click here to review the information.
• We have resumed used clothing collections in the Twin Cities Metro Area. If you live in the Twin Cities Metro, you can SCHEDULE A PICKUP HERE. 
  • If you have any questions, please contact us at customerservice@efmn.org or 651.287.2300.
• Camp Oz is canceled. We are working on providing alternative programming to support the youth and community in place of Camp Oz. If you already registered, please check your email for more information. For questions, please contact Cavan Gahagan.
• Seizure Smart Trainings can be done virtually and are available upon request.
• EFMN hosted a Virtual Community Gathering on April 7. If you missed it, you can view the video here.
• The Rise Above Seizures Gala is rescheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2020.

If you have questions about any of these updates please contact us at admin@efmn.org or 1.800.779.0777. We will continue to provided updates through our website and social media accounts.

Support and Information

While the office is closed, staff will work remotely and continue to offer resources and support.

Connect Groups will be moved to be virtual meetings.

Seizure Trainings are available to be held virtually. These FREE trainings are offered to any school, workplace, community group, or organization. If you are interested in hosting a training or would like more information, please fill out this form.

Information Services will continue to provide free, one-on-one support for all people affected by epilepsy during this time.

Additionally, the Epilepsy Foundation has been updating its website on news and information. Concerns About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Epilepsy provides a helpful Q&A section regarding COVID-19 and epilepsy. (Download COVID-19 and Epilepsy FAQ Document)

Basic protective measures against COVID-19

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others.

Why? When someone coughs, sneezes, or speaks they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

For more advice and latest information about COVID-19, visit the World Health Organization.

External Resources

Helpful Documents:

1. Managing Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak: Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Individuals and Communities https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID19ManagingStress032020.pdf
2. Managing Healthcare Workers’ Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID19ManagingStressHCW032020.pdf 
3. For Providers and Community Leaders: Helping People Manage Stress Associated with the COVID-19 Virus Outbreak https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/COVID19ForProviders032020.pdf  
4. Face COVID – How to respond effectively to the Corona crisis – Download
5. Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook – The Wellness Society put together a coronavirus anxiety workbook to provide the community with support. – Download

Helpful Links:

1. Minnesota Department of Health
2. North Dakota Department of Health
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19  
4. Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation:  https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/power-of-the-mind.asp 
5. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019  
6. OnlineMSWPrograms.com: A Guide to Understanding and Coping with Compassion Fatigue
7. Purdue University Global: Stress Management for Health Care Workers: Real Tips on How to Destress