October has been designated as a commemoration month for many national health, wellness and well-being campaigns. These campaigns offer themes and resources for employee communications. In this post, you can find some of the biggest campaigns this month with links to resources.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point. The good news is that many women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat. Learn more about lowering the risk for breast cancer and early detection of breast cancer.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic violence and sexual assault are pervasive and life-threatening crimes affecting millions of individuals across our nation regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, or education. 1 in 10 women and nearly 1 in 25 men who have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner missed work or school as a result of the abuse Nationwide, an average of 3 women are killed by a current or former intimate partner every day. Homicide accounts for almost a third (27%) of work-related deaths in women – it is the second leading cause of injury death for women in the workplace. This dedicated month is designed to raise awareness about domestic violence and to offer resources for help.
Mental Illness Awareness Week! Oct. 4–10
Each year Mental Illness Awareness Week occurs during the first full week of October. This year, the theme revolves around building a movement through the new StigmaFree initiative. Being Stigma Free means learning about and educating others on mental illness, focusing on connecting with people to see each other as individuals and not a diagnosis, and most importantly, taking action on mental health issues and taking the StigmaFree pledge. The hashtag for the theme is #IAmStigmaFree.
National Depression Screening Day – October 8, 2015
Held annually during Mental Illness Awareness Week in October, National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is comprised of awareness events that include an optional screening component. Learn the signs and symptoms of depression and take an anonymous online screening.
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
A month-long observance that focuses on the role substance abuse prevention plays in promoting safe and healthy communities. Substance use, including underage drinking and the non-medical use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, significantly affects the health and well-being of American youth and people of all ages.
National Bullying Prevention Month
This annual campaign was founded in 2006 by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October, a time when communities can unite nationwide to raise awareness of bullying prevention through events, activities, outreach, and education. Resources from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center make it easy to take action. Hundreds of schools and organizations sign on as partners, including Disney, Facebook, CNN and Yahoo! Kids through media outreach and dissemination.
National Work & Family Month
Dedicating a month to work and family issues encourages all workplaces to pause once a year and consider the progress made towards work-life effectiveness and encourages employers to raise the bar to ensure their workplaces are meeting the needs and challenges facing their employees. Find out where your organization is on the work-life spectrum and promote its involvement in work-life programs and share and learn best practices.
National Physician Assistant (PA) Week October 6-12
Celebrate the profession and its contributions to the nation’s health. America’s more than 100,000 certified PAs are a powerful force for better health for millions of patients across the country. Consistently recognized as one of the fastest-growing professions, PAs were ranked the most promising job of 2015 by Forbes.com. Because of PAs, the healthcare system is stronger. Because of PAs, more patients get access to high-quality, cost-effective care. Because of PAs, we celebrate National PA Week!
National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2015
A month designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives with the goal of raising awareness about cybersecurity and increasing the resiliency of the nation in the event of a cyber incident.
National Physical Therapy Month
Walk & Bike to School Day – Oct. 7
Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week, October 12 – 20
Healthcare Quality Week 2015, 18-24