The poet T.S. Eliot famously called April “the cruelest month” but we’d disagree. Sure, April is tax month, but spring has arrived and the days grow longer and brighter. There are also a lot of special events and health observances in April. If you are planning employee newsletters, intranets, or other communications, we’ve compiled a list of April events with links to helpful resources from event sponsors or topical experts. Some links include tool kits and social media messages related to the event; others offer valuable information on the topic. Here’s our pick of April dates & events that you may want to check out and promote to your employees.
Financial Literacy Month
- 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy – A free program that is “a national volunteer effort of the nation’s Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills. It focuses on financial education as a lifelong endeavor — from children learning about the value of money to adults reaching a secure retirement.”
Topics include Credit and Debt, the Work World, Spending & Saving, Crises, Retirement Planning, Investor Education and information on working with a CPA. Also, submit a question or review past Q&A in Ask the Money Doctor. - Financial Literacy Month – The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a nonprofit coalition comprised of 100+ national organizations and a network of 51 independent, affiliated state coalitions that share a commitment to advancing youth financial literacy.
- Money Smart – A program financial education program by the FDIC that helps people of all ages enhance their financial skills and create positive banking relationships. First released in 2001 and regularly updated since then, Money Smart has a long track record of success.
- MyMoney.gov – Tools, resources and news from more than 20 federal agencies comprising the Financial Literacy and Education Commission.
- Consumer protection basics. – This government website helps you to manage and use your money wisely; use credit and loans carefully; and protect your identity and money.
- Money worries? April is Financial Literacy Month. Learn how ESI EAP can help – from our blog.
Alcohol Awareness Month
- Rethinking Drinking – Resource from the National Institute of Health that provides evidence-based information about alcohol and health along with tips, tools, and resources for those who want to cut down on or quit drinking.
- NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator – Helps adults find alcohol treatment for themselves or an adult loved one. If you are seeking help for a teen, check out these recommended adolescent treatment resources. Unlike many other online resources, the Navigator has no commercial sponsors. It will steer you toward evidence-based treatment, which applies knowledge gained through decades of carefully designed scientific research.
- Council on Substance Abuse-NCADD – COSA is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1973 to promote the understanding that alcoholism and other drug dependence are preventable and treatable diseases. The organization’s mission is to prevent or delay the onset of substance use disorders and related behavioral health issues; to educate and inform the public on substance use disorders and related behavioral health issues; and to encourage and support proper diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and long-term recovery for individuals with substance use disorders and their families.
Stress Awareness Month
- April is National Stress Awareness Month to raise awareness of the negative impact of stress. There is no single definition for stress, but the most common explanation is physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension. While not all stress is bad, long-term stress can have harmful impacts on physical and mental health.
- I’m So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet – a fact sheer and shareable infographic on stress from the National Institute of Mental Health.
- Stressed out? Your EAP can help you manage your stress – from our blog.
National Minority Heath Month
- National Minority Health Month is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) highlights the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and reducing health disparities. The theme for National Minority Health Month 2023: Better Health Through Better Understanding. The focus is on improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN communities by providing them with culturally and linguistically competent healthcare services, information, and resources. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are empowered to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities. Also see: Health Literacy in Healthy People 2030.
ESI EAP Member Website theme for the month of April
In March, the member website theme is Making Time for Work and Family. Resources include a webinar and relevant content. EAP members can login at the home page: www.theEAP.com.
Other noteworthy April events:
- Older Americans Month
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- National Donate Life Month
- World Autism Awareness Month
- Parkinson’s Awareness Month
- Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month
- April 3-9: National Public Health Week
- April 7: World Health Day 2023
- April 9: Easter
- April 5-13: Passover
- April 18: Federal tax filing deadline (Some state filing deadlines vary so check your state.)
- April 16-22: Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week and the American Cancer Research Institute
- April 24–30: World Immunization Week
- April 24-28: Every Kid Healthy Week
- April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work