Brain Injury Awareness Month is an annual campaign dedicated to educating the public about the impact of brain injury on individuals and families across the United States. This national observance helps elevate the conversation around prevention, research, and support for those living with the long-term effects of brain trauma. The campaign serves as a platform to combat the often-invisible nature of these injuries and improve the quality of life for survivors. March is the officially designated month for this awareness effort.
The Official Timing and History
The observation of Brain Injury Awareness Month takes place every March, a tradition led by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) for more than three decades. The campaign initially occurred in October but was formally shifted to March in the early 2000s to better align advocacy efforts and maximize public engagement. The BIAA, the country’s largest nationwide brain injury advocacy organization, spearheads the month’s activities, seeking to advance awareness, treatment, and education.
A core mandate of the observance is to change common misconceptions about brain injury and to reduce the pervasive stigma that survivors and their caregivers often face. The BIAA has previously used powerful themes like “Change Your Mind” and the recent “My Brain Injury Journey” to anchor its public awareness campaigns. These slogans encourage a deeper understanding of brain injury as a chronic health condition that profoundly alters a person’s life, rather than a single acute event.
Understanding Brain Injuries
A brain injury is broadly defined as any injury to the brain that occurs after birth. It is categorized into two main types: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
A TBI results from an external mechanical force, such as a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury. Common examples include concussions from sports, falls, or motor vehicle accidents; falls are the leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations in the US. In contrast, an ABI is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, or induced by birth trauma, and is caused by an internal event. Examples of ABI include injuries sustained from stroke, infectious diseases like meningitis, lack of oxygen, or brain tumors.
Available data indicates that more than 5.3 million Americans currently live with brain injury-related disabilities. Annually, approximately 2.8 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury. The long-term effects of TBI can range from subtle to severe, often leading to lasting impairments in memory, cognitive ability, emotional functioning, and sensation.
Key Ways to Participate and Spread Awareness
The annual observance in March provides numerous avenues for the general public, survivors, and caregivers to engage in the cause. One of the most direct and personal ways to participate is by sharing individual experiences to reduce the stigma surrounding brain injury. Using social media platforms to tell personal stories and utilize campaign hashtags like #MyBrainInjuryJourney helps amplify these narratives and fosters community among survivors.
Advocacy efforts are a significant component of the month, encouraging citizens to become a voice for policy change. Individuals can contact their legislators to support bills, such as those that seek to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury Act or secure funding for research and support systems. The BIAA provides resources and toolkits to help simplify the process of contacting representatives and introducing local proclamations, transforming personal concern into meaningful political action.
Other actionable steps include educational activities and community involvement, which are important for increasing public understanding.
- Attend virtual seminars, local workshops, or participate in fundraising events like walks and runs organized by local brain injury associations.
- Wear the color green, which symbolizes brain injury awareness, as a simple but visible way to show solidarity and spark conversations.
- Support organizations through volunteering or financial contributions to ensure resources, like the BIAA’s National Brain Injury Information Center, remain available to those in need.