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Showing posts from September, 2024

National Concussion Awareness Day is September 20th

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National Concussion Awareness Day was founded in 2016 by Brooke Mills, who suffered a concussion as a freshman in high school. National Concussion Awareness Day aims to create an opportunity for public discussion of the issue. We can positively impact lives by raising awareness of the importance of recognizing and treating a concussion appropriately and supporting the injured.    A concussion is an injury to the brain that can change the way a person acts, thinks, and feels. Concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury. Concussions can occur when a sudden impact from a fall, bump, hit, or jolt causes the brain to bounce around or twist inside the skull. Falls are the number one cause of concussions. Concussions can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Concussions can occur with or without loss of consciousness.   Concussions and symptoms differ from person to person  You can experience physical symptoms (e.g., dizziness, confusion, headache...

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

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  September is an important time to reflect on the steps we can all take to support mental health and prevent suicide. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month serves as a crucial reminder to educate ourselves and our communities about the warning signs of suicide, risk factors, and available resources. Spreading awareness helps reduce stigma and encourages open conversations about mental health, empowering people to seek help when needed. According to the CDC, there were over 49,000 suicide deaths in 2022, equating to about one every 11 minutes. The number of people who think about or attempt suicide is even higher. In that same year, suicide was among the top 9 leading causes of death for ages 10-64 and the second leading cause of death for ages 10-14 and 25-34. Certain racial/ethnic groups, like non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic White people, have higher suicide rates. Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual have a higher prevalence...