Suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health concern and is often complicated further by the misconceptions and unknowns surrounding them. This is what makes TBI awareness so critical, especially for the military community. Nearly half a million military members and Veterans have and are suffering from these effects since 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Thankfully, there are activists and nonprofits who advocate for all affected. Brain Injury Awareness Month is an annual movement held to bring TBI awareness and help the public better understand an injury that affects its victims both mentally and physically. Read Next: How Veteran Suicide and TBI are Directly Related

When Is Brain Injury Awareness Month?

Brain Injury Awareness Month is held by the Brain Injury Association of America every year in March. From 2021 to 2023, the organization held the month’s theme as "More Than My Brain Injury." As a whole, TBI Awareness Month has aimed to help better understand brain injuries as a chronic condition, reduce the stigmas associated with such injuries, and highlight not only the different types of brain injuries but also the widespread demographics affected by them.

#MoreThanMyBrainInjury

The #MoreThanMyBrainInjury Campaign isn’t interested in your stereotypes. In fact, it’s out to destroy them when it comes to TBI. Every March is TBI Awareness Month and this campaign continues to help those affected overcome the narrative and take back control by telling their stories. A specific focus within the campaign is a look at the effects of TBI on the military community as a result of combat. The CDC shows that when it comes to TBI among Service Members and Veterans, the symptoms are ongoing and can also coexist with depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There are also some unknowns that remain under serious study. For example, whether or not other actions that are involved within the military such as deployment and combat are further aggravating the negative mental and physical effects of TBI. Complicating things even further is that in many cases, TBI isn’t a visible condition. You can tell when someone is on crutches or has their arm in a sling and identify what their injury is, but brain injuries are a bit different. Oftentimes it's difficult to talk about something internal with mental components in addition to physical. Suggested Read: How To Apply for VA Disability & What You Need To Know All of this and more is why Brain Injury Awareness Month is so important to the military community. Warzones, training, and the general nature of the military require heroes to put their bodies and minds on the line. They deserve support when such sacrifices cost them their health. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and there are plenty of ways for everyone to get involved. From creative engagements, to advocating, to simply listening, to taking action to help those suffering, there's something for everyone. Whether you're suffering yourself or supporting someone who is.

Brain Injury Awareness Month in 2023 Continues to Raise Awareness

TBI awareness is important and if you think such injuries can’t happen to you, you may want to reevaluate your position. We often see such injuries associated with harsh physical environments such as the military or football, but there are several other threats that can affect military personnel and civilians alike:

• Falling
• Hitting your head on something or being hit in the head
• Vehicle accidents
• Assault
• A variety of other unknown sources

TBI alters the way a brain operates and its ongoing effects can alter someone’s life. But there’s more to the story for anyone suffering and Brain Injury Awareness Month continues to shine a light on both the effects as well as the hope that lies ahead. Related Read: What Is the Back Pain VA Rating and Can You Get Compensated?