Carrie Steckl earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with a Minor in Gerontology from Indiana University – Bloomington in 2001. She has spent over ...Read More
March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month – a time to recognize the growing prevalence of traumatic brain injuries and help make lives better for individuals who have sustained this kind of trauma.
But oftentimes, the public is at a loss about what to do during an “awareness month.” To address this ambiguity, here are 10 ways to honor Brain Injury Awareness Month:
1. Learn about traumatic brain injury. See my post about traumatic brain injury from last March, and visit the website of the Brain Injury Association of America.
2. Invite a speaker. Everyone needs to know about traumatic brain injury, because it’s more common than people realize and knows no demographic boundaries. Contact your state chapter of the Brain Injury Association of America to locate speakers in your area. Invite a speaker to your workplace, religious community, or service organization for an educational workshop.
3. Post your support on social media. If you are on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media channels, tell your friends and colleagues that you support research and family support for traumatic brain injury.
4. Donate. Find a non-profit or health organization you trust and donate to brain injury research or services. Be sure to thoroughly research any organization by using sites such as GuideStar or Charity Navigator.
5. Fundraise. If you don’t have the means to donate, try raising funds by holding a bake sale, garage sale, or creating your own fundraising page through a site like First Giving.
6. Attend an awareness event. Check with your state chapter of the Brain Injury Association to see what kinds of events they have planned.
7. Distribute literature. If you’re thinking this sounds cumbersome and costly, I have good news – the Brain Injury Association has dozens of free, downloadable resources on its website that you can email to others or post on your social media accounts.
8. Volunteer. Lend your time to an organization or health care agency that serves those with traumatic brain injury. These types of organizations are always looking for good volunteers!
9. Help an individual or family in need. There’s a good chance you know someone with a traumatic brain injury or know someone who is caring for a loved one who has experienced this kind of trauma. Ask specifically how you can help. It can be something as simple as bringing a home-cooked meal once a month or helping out with transportation to the doctor.
10. Tell your story. If you or someone you love is affected by traumatic brain injury, one of the most powerful ways you can help is by telling your story. By sharing your experience, you are helping others know they are not alone in this journey while passing along seasoned advice and support. The Brain Injury Association has created a special page for this purpose. Share your story here.
How are you going to honor Brain Injury Awareness Month this year? Thank you in advance for caring about this important health issue.
