Brain Injury Awareness

Yorkton will mark Brain Injury Awareness Month in June.

“Today and throughout the month of June throughout Canada, the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association and the Brain Injury Association of Canada designate June as National Brain Injury Awareness Month to increase awareness of the effects and causes of acquired brain injury across Canada,” explained Lynette Strom representing the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association before the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

“In Canada, brain injury is the Number One killer and disabler of most youth, including people under the age of 44. Statistics further indicate that incidences are two times greater within the male population.”

Strom explained, “Acquired brain injury is defined as a non-degenerative and non-congenital insult to the brain that may result in a diminished or altered state of consciousness, and result in impaired physical, cognitive, emotional and/or behavioural functioning.”

The effects of brain injury are widespread too.

“The social, emotional and economic consequences of brain injury are in fact devastating not only to the survivors themselves, but also the families, caregivers, support workers and the community at large – everyone involved with working towards neuro-rehabilitation and recovery. And currently, there are no drugs or techniques that can cure a brain injury,” said Strom.

Motor vehicle accidents, sport injuries, cycling accidents, falls, strokes, tumours, aneurysms, and other non-degenerative conditions are all leading causes of brain injury in Canada.

“Prevention is the Only cure,” said Strom.

This year the month will focus on the safety aspects of helmets.

Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injury by as much as 88 per cent. The difference they make is so significant that Brain Injury Awareness Month powered by Saskatchewan Blue Cross in June 2016, the Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association (SBIA) is urging people to “Helmet Up!” detailed material circulated to Council.

Wearing a helmet while longboarding and skateboarding is at the centre of the new poster by SBIA for Brain Injury Awareness Month. This year’s poster encourages longboarders and skateboarders to strap on a helmet whether they are riding for transportation, recreation, tricks or any combination of the three. Nearly 50 per cent of hospital emergency visits involving skateboard incidents were for traumatic brain injuries in people over the age of 16.