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International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations

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      • Amylyx – AMX0035
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Mental Health Support

A person living with ALS/MND may be challenged emotionally at all stages of the disease. Therefore, a multidisciplinary healthcare team includes support for mental health for people living with ALS/MND and their families. Mental health support throughout the progression of the disease can help a person cope with emotions that can be difficult to manage. Multiple healthcare professionals are available for mental health support for people living with ALS/MND and their families. The multidisciplinary healthcare team that can provide mental health support include:

  • General Practitioner
  • Counsellor
  • Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist
  • Social worker
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Spiritual or faith leader/counsellor
  • Complementary therapists

This multidisciplinary healthcare team can help a person living with ALS/MND cope with emotions regarding various aspects of their lives. Coping and coming to terms with a diagnosis, relationships, both familial and intimate, religious or spiritual faith, and managing symptoms of ALS/MND as they progress all impact a person living with ALS/MND.

Individuals with ALS/MND can also access their multidisciplinary healthcare team for treatment and management for anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders. Medications are available for mental health in people living with ALS/MND.

In addition, the multidisciplinary healthcare team is available to help treat and manage potential symptoms of ALS/MND that affect cognition and behaviour, such as frontal temporal dementia symptoms.

Living with ALS/MND does not mean a person is alone. Support is always available.

For more information on mental health support, refer to the resources provided below.

Click on the icon below to visit our playlist of videos related to Mental Health Support.

The following are resources from Members of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations on the topic of Mental Health Support.

Psychological Treatment Program

Psychological support services are provided by a group of ALS trained, dedicated Psychologists and Registered Clinical Counsellors who volunteer their time to provide much-needed therapy and counselling to people affected by ALS. For people without extended health benefits, this service can be provided Pro Bono.

https://www.alsbc.ca/programs-services/psychological-treatment-program/

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mental Health Support, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

What Can the Social Worker Do For You?

This resource discusses the social worker’s role as part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team for families affected by ALS/MND and for people living with ALS/MND. In addition, the type of support that a social worker can provide is discussed.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/kennisplatform/wat-doet-de-maatschappelijk-werker/

Language: Dutch, English
Subject Areas: Social Work, Mental Health Support, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

What Does the Psychologist Do?

The ALS Centrum Nederlands discusses the role of a psychologist as part of the multidisciplinary healthcare team in this resource. In addition, information on the support a psychologist can provide to the patient, the caregiver and family of the person living with ALS/MND, and their healthcare team is discussed.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/kennisplatform/wat-doet-de-psycholoog/

Language: Dutch
Subject Areas: Mental Health Support, Psychologist, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Emotional Support for People With or Affected by ALS/MND

Information on supporting and managing emotions for people living with ALS/MND is provided in this guide. The guide, created by the MND Association (MNDA), outlines the multidisciplinary healthcare team that can help support mental health for a person living with ALS/MND. Tips and strategies for managing difficult emotions and emotional lability are also provided.

https://www.mndassociation.org/app/uploads/2020/07/Emotional-and-psychological-support.pdf

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mental Health Support, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND

Coping with ALS/MND

This is a brief resource for people living with ALS/MND to help identify signs that they may need mental health support. The ALS Association (ALSA) discusses these signs and the treatment and support options available.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/coping-with-als

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mental Health Support, For People with ALS/MND

Spiritual Guidance with ALS

The ALS Centrum Nederlands provides information about the spiritual counsellor’s role in supporting mental health and treatment for people living with ALS/MND. The impacts of spiritual guidance are also discussed and outlined in this resource.

https://www.als-centrum.nl/kennisplatform/geestelijke-begeleiding-voor-mensen-met-als/

Language: Dutch
Subject Areas: Mental Health Support, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For People with ALS/MND

FYI: ALS, Cognitive Impairment, & Dementia

This resource provides detailed information for the multidisciplinary healthcare team about the effects of ALS/MND on cognition and frontal temporal dementia. In addition, information for care and management for people living with ALS/MND with these symptoms are discussed. The ALS Association (ALSA) also provides input on communicating these symptoms to people living with ALS/MND.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/resources/fyi-als-cognitive-impairment-dementia

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mental Health, Dementia, Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team, For Healthcare Professionals

Changes in Thinking and Emotional Lability

The ALS Association provides this resource with information on symptoms of ALS/MND related to cognition, dementia, and depression. This information is intended for people living with ALS/MND and caregivers. People with ALS/MND and caregivers can find out more about these symptoms and how to manage and cope with them.

https://www.als.org/navigating-als/coping-with-als/changes-thinking-emotional-lability

Language: English
Subject Areas: Mental Health, Dementia, For People with ALS/MND, For Caregivers

Primary Sidebar

Care services

  • Genetic Counselling & Testing
  • Mental Health Support
  • Nursing and Symptom Management
  • Nutrition and Swallowing
  • Occupational Therapy and Activities of Daily Living
  • Physiotherapy and Mobility
  • Respiratory Care
  • Speech Therapy and Communication
  • Support for Family & Caregivers
  • Technology

  • Emilienne Verhaegen, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2014

    Emilienne Verhaegen, ALS Liga Belgium, Diagnosed 2014

  • Eric Von Schaumburg, USA

    Eric Von Schaumburg, USA

  • Ali Var, Turkey

    Ali Var, Turkey

  • Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 , Prize4Life, Israel

    Shay Rishoni, Diagnosed 2011 , Prize4Life, Israel

  • Jon Newsome, USA

    Jon Newsome, USA

  • Ian Roberts

    Ian Roberts

  • Armando González Gómez, ACELA, Colombia

    Armando González Gómez, ACELA, Colombia

  • Anthony (Tony) Lynch, MND New South Wales, Diagnosed 2016, Australia

    Anthony (Tony) Lynch, MND New South Wales, Diagnosed 2016, Australia

  • Jeff Sutherland

    Jeff Sutherland
    jspic

  • Verónica Isabel Castro Molina, Diagnosed 2014, Argentina

    Verónica Isabel Castro Molina, Diagnosed 2014, Argentina

  • Leon Ryba, Argentina

    Leon Ryba, Argentina

  • Mauril Bélanger, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

    Mauril Bélanger, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

  • Jon Newsome, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Jon Newsome, Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • Animesh Kumar, Diagnosed 2013 , Asha Ek Hope Foundation, India

    Animesh Kumar, Diagnosed 2013 , Asha Ek Hope Foundation, India

  • MNDaSG Group PALS & CALS, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Singapore (MNDaSG)

    MNDaSG Group PALS & CALS, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Singapore (MNDaSG)

  • Lin Yong Yi, Taiwan MND Association, Diagnosed 2004

    Lin Yong Yi, Taiwan MND Association, Diagnosed 2004

  • Liam Dwyer, England

    Liam Dwyer, England

  • Aida Trzmiel de Guterman, Asociacion ELA Argentina, Diagnosed 2007, Argentina

    Aida Trzmiel de Guterman, Asociacion ELA Argentina, Diagnosed 2007, Argentina

  • Stephanie Christiansen Hall, Canada

    Stephanie Christiansen Hall, Canada

  • Dawn Morton, Diagnosed 2014 , MND Scotland, UK

    Dawn Morton, Diagnosed 2014 , MND Scotland, UK

  • Mahmood Anwar, UK

    Mahmood Anwar, UK

  • John and Loretta Russo, USA

    John and Loretta Russo, USA
    final3878

  • Brian Parsons

    Brian Parsons

  • Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 , MND Australia

    Joanne Pratt, Diagnosed 2011 , MND Australia

  • Maria Lucia Wood Saldanha, Associação Pró-Cura da ELA, Brazil

    Maria Lucia Wood Saldanha, Associação Pró-Cura da ELA, Brazil

  • Guido De Mets, Belgium

    Guido De Mets, Belgium

  • David Solomon, Diagnosed 2015, MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

    David Solomon, Diagnosed 2015, MND Association of England, Wales and N Ireland

  • Marco Antonio Alvarez Mercado, Mexico

    Marco Antonio Alvarez Mercado, Mexico

  • Mark Miller

    Mark Miller

  • Elisabeth Zahnd, Switzerland

    Elisabeth Zahnd, Switzerland

  • Imelda Arenas, ACELA, Colombia

    Imelda Arenas, ACELA, Colombia

  • Wilfried Leusing

    Wilfried Leusing

  • Malcolm Buck, Australia

    Malcolm Buck, Australia

  • Claudette Sturk, ALS Society of Canada

    Claudette Sturk, ALS Society of Canada
    Picture2

  • Cassio Fernando da Silva, Diagnosed 2013 , ABrELA, Brazil

    Cassio Fernando da Silva, Diagnosed 2013 , ABrELA, Brazil

  • Chen Yin Xue, Taiwan MND Association, Diagnosed 1995, Taiwan

    Chen Yin Xue, Taiwan MND Association, Diagnosed 1995, Taiwan

  • Luis Antonio Pimenta Lima, Brazil

    Luis Antonio Pimenta Lima, Brazil

  • Marcelo Farinelli, Diagnosed 2006, ABrELA, Brazil

    Marcelo Farinelli, Diagnosed 2006, ABrELA, Brazil

  • Hanne Stenmose, Muskelsvindfonden, Denmark

    Hanne Stenmose, Muskelsvindfonden, Denmark

  • Hollister

    Hollister
    hollister

  • Danny Reviers, Diagnosed 1979 , ALS Liga België, Belgium

    Danny Reviers, Diagnosed 1979 , ALS Liga België, Belgium

  • Kris Van Reusel, Belgium

    Kris Van Reusel, Belgium

  • March of Faces Photo Submission_OLGA_ELA ARGENTINA

    March of Faces Photo Submission_OLGA_ELA ARGENTINA

  • Marcel R. Wernard, Diagnosed 2016,  ALS Patients Connected,  The Netherlands

    Marcel R. Wernard, Diagnosed 2016, ALS Patients Connected, The Netherlands

  • Fabrice Kamp, Germany

    Fabrice Kamp, Germany

  • Ian Gale, MND Australia

    Ian Gale, MND Australia

  • Bob Simonds and Drew O'Neill , Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

    Bob Simonds and Drew O’Neill , Les Turner ALS Foundation, USA

  • Feng Gin Sun, Diagnosed 2014 , Shaanxi ALS Association, China

    Feng Gin Sun, Diagnosed 2014 , Shaanxi ALS Association, China

  • Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

    Chris McCauley, Diagnosed 2015 , ALS Canada

  • Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

    Calum Ferguson, Diagnosed 2010 , MND Scotland, UK

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