When people think about October, thoughts turn to the beautiful fall colors, the harvest, and the popular unofficial holiday of Halloween at the end of the month. There are also many awareness campaigns that deserve your attention, too: We’re offering links to resources for October awareness campaigns on Cybersecurity, Breast Cancer, Bullying, Domestic Violence. Mental Illness, and more that you can use in employee communications.
Cybersecurity Awareness
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) designates October as Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a time for public and private sector organizations to come together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. This year’s theme is Securing the Next 250, which recognizes the nation’s 250th anniversary and focuses on building a secure digital future for America’s next era. The CISA website has a variety of resources and tools to explore to enhance your or your organization’s safety. Don’t miss this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month Toolkit, which includes key messages, facts, suggested activities to engages your communities, and ready-to-go and customizable tools and templates to help you conduct your campaign.
Mental Illness Awareness
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and other mental health organizations sponsor Mental Illness Awareness Week from October 5 through 14. This year’s theme, “Building Community: Supporting Mental Well-being Together,” underscores the power of meaningful connections, grassroots advocacy, and local action to strengthen mental health support nationwide. At the site, you can download a toolkit with ways to foster community connections, key messages, key facts, and downloadable social media graphics and templates.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) marks Saturday October 10 as World Mental Health Day with the theme of “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” This theme acknowledges the important role people with actual lived experiences are important voices to shape the policies, services and decisions that affect their lives.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Since 1985, October has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an international health campaign that aims to promote screening and reduce the risk of the disease, which affects 2.4 million women worldwide. Goals of the campaign include supporting people diagnosed with breast cancer, educating people about breast cancer risk factors, and encouraging people to go for regular breast cancer screening. To get or schedule a mammogram, the most reliable way to detect breast cancer early, when it is small, easier to treat, and up to 99% curable. See the Top 5 Reasons to Get a Mammogram.
One lesser-known fact about breast cancer is that men can get it too, BreastCancer.org says that “In 2021, President Joe Biden designated October 17 to October 23 Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,670 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2026, and about 530 will die from the disease. But lack of awareness and stigma can be barriers to detection and care in men, trans men, and non-binary people.”
For more resources, see our prior blog post: Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Learn the risks and symptoms.
Domestic Violence Awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with the 2026 theme of “With Survivors, Always.” The Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAM) chose this theme in response to “seeing violence minimized, cuts to the services families rely upon, and increased barriers to safety for survivors and their children. Survivors deserve action.” Visit the DVAM site to access a toolkit with messaging and assets to promote the month, as well as help resources.
Domestic violence occurs within intimate or family relationships and can take many forms beyond physical violence. Abuse may be emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, or digital. A person may use threats, isolation, intimidation, monitoring, or control of money and other resources to exert power over someone else.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, reach out to your EAP for confidential support, guidance, and resources. You can also reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233.) In emergencies, call 911.
National Bullying Prevention
National Bullying Prevention Month occurs every October as a month-long event aimed at preventing childhood bullying and promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Sponsored by PACER since 2026, the National Bullying Prevention Center has been actively leading social change to prevent childhood bullying, so that all youth are safe and supported in their schools, communities, and online. In addition to offering resources to promote the month, the site also provides bullying prevention resources for parents and educators, as well as links to dedicated sites for Kids Against Bullying and Teens Against Bullying.
ESI EAP October Member Webinar (Online)
Saving Strategies – Do you have enough money set aside for emergencies, purchases, college, and retirement? Many people don’t. In this financial wellness workshop, learn techniques that will motivate you to set and keep your savings goals. We will discuss reasons to save, why willpower is overrated, the power of “mindless saving,” Leave with valuable tools and techniques to start improving your financial health immediately.
More Key September Dates & Events