GLA CEO Laura MacNeill discusses the correlation between Lyme disease, mental health, and suicide.
Transcript below:
Hi everyone. Today I want to talk to you about a very important issue among our community, and that is Lyme disease and mental health. Did you know that with a single Lyme disease diagnosis, there's a 24% increased risk of a mental health diagnosis, including depression? And with two or more episodes of Lyme disease, that risk increases to 79%. Additionally, with people with Lyme disease have a twofold higher risk of dying by suicide than those without Lyme disease. We need better awareness and better research future projects.
GLA hopes to fund include looking into the relationship between Lyme disease, co-infections, and other neuropsychiatric problems, such as PANS. And if you're a patient or a caregiver who is struggling, please check out our Peer-to-Peer Mentor Support Program. It's a free resource for people affected by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Within this program, we've partnered with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to provide training and support for any of our community members who are in crisis. Together we can create real change, but our work is only made possible by donor support. So please consider joining us in this fight.
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The above material is provided for information purposes only. The material (a) is not nor should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, nor (b) does it necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of Global Lyme Alliance, Inc. or any of its directors, officers, advisors or volunteers. Advice on the testing, treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient’s medical history.
