Concussion Awareness Week – September 26 to October 2, 2021
The first Concussion Awareness Week is taking place across Canada from September 26 to October 2, 2021. Everyone with a role in healthy active living – sport and recreation participants, parents, coaches, organizers, educators and more – can help increase awareness about this important issue.
There are some simple ways you can make a difference, for yourself and others:
- Find out what you can do to prevent concussions in your sport or activity and know what to do if a concussion does happen. Don’t let the risk of getting a concussion keep you out of sport and physical activity.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of concussion to help you recognize when someone might have a concussion. Not all people will show the same signs and symptoms, and they can show up hours after the injury.
- Check for signs and symptoms any time there is a significant impact to the head, face, neck or body. It only takes one sign or symptom to suspect a concussion!
- Encourage everyone to speak up about how they are feeling. Tell a coach, parent, teacher or another trusted adult if you think you might have a concussion.
- Follow the gradual stages for return to school, work and sport after a concussion. Returning to activities too quickly can slow recovery and bring on long-lasting effects.
- Learn to stay well and get back to safe skills set to prevent injuries in returning to sport post-pandemic. Source various ways to take care of your mental health.
Ready to learn more? Here are some great resources to boost your knowledge:
Complete a free learning module through the Concussion Awareness Training Tool
Complete the Coaching Association of Canada’s free NCCP Making Head Way Concussion eLearning Series
Download the free Concussion Ed app for information on the go
Access SIRC’s concussion resources for the sport community