
SUDEP Action Day 2025 takes place on October 15th.
SUDEP Action Day is an incredibly important day in our calendar in educating people on the potential risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in epilepsy; encouraging conversations between clinicians and patients; increasing knowledge of the known risk factors and what can be done to reduce them; and remembering those who have been sadly lost due to SUDEP and other epilepsy-related deaths.
Throughout October, we will be sharing information about SUDEP and encouraging our entire community to learn more about the risks but in the meantime and in anticipation of the day, we would encourage all people with epilepsy and their families to take the time to familiarise themselves with this aspect of epilepsy by visiting the ‘SUDEP’ section of our website.
We are also appealing to anyone who may have lost a loved one due to SUDEP or an epilepsy-related death to share their stories and experiences with us. These stories are powerful weapons in helping encourage our community to learn more, while also highlighting the need for action on our calls to develop a national strategy to reduce epilepsy-related deaths. If you are interested in sharing your story, you can get in touch with our Advocacy & Communications Manager, Paddy McGeoghegan by emailing pmcgeoghegan@epilepsy.ie.
Continuing Volunteering
We have also recently established a new subcategory of Media Volunteer for families who have lost a loved one due to SUDEP or any other epilepsy-related death.
The establishment of this category of media volunteer and having people with the lived experience of this tragic aspect of epilepsy will be vital in helping amplify our calls for action in the weeks and months to come. Again, if you have been bereaved and are interested in volunteering, please email Paddy on pmcgeoghegan@epilepsy.ie and he will discuss this in further detail with you.
Epilepsy Deaths Register for Ireland
Finally, throughout October we will be encouraging submissions from bereaved families and friends to the Epilepsy Deaths Register for Ireland. This register allows families/friends to provide information about a person with epilepsy who has passed away.
By providing information about a person with epilepsy who has passed away, it can potentially provide vital clues to researchers who are investigating SUDEP and epilepsy-related deaths and potentially lead to measures to safe future lives. If you have lost a loved one who lived with epilepsy, please consider providing their details to this vital register by visiting the 'Epilepsy Deaths Register for Ireland' website.
Our thoughts are with all those who have lost a loved one due to SUDEP or an epilepsy-related death. We hope that our continuing campaigning in this area will help to prevent other families going through what you have experienced over the years.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
Further Information
- Further information on SUDEP can be found by visiting the 'SUDEP' page on our website
- To learn more about our advocacy campaign calling for the introduction of a national strategy to reduce epilepsy-related deaths, visit the 'Advocacy' section of our website.
- If your or loved one need any information or support on your respective journeys with epilepsy, please do not hesitate to contact your local Community Resource Officer. You can find their details by visiting the 'Our Local Service' page on our website.
- If you are a member of the media and have any inquiries about SUDEP Action Day, SUDEP and epilepsy-related deaths, please email our Advocacy & Communications Manager Paddy on pmcgeoghegan@epilepsy.ie.