Psychology Week is an initiative of the Australian Psychological Society, held annually, that aims to increase public awareness of how psychology can help Australians lead healthier, happier and more meaningful lives. Psychology Week is an opportunity to demystify and communicate the scope of psychology.

Chronic pain affects about 20% of the Australian population. This year, Psychology Week is tasked with promoting the role of psychology in helping people with pain and increase public understanding of how psychology can help with pain.

To get involved this November:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Spread awareness with friends and family
• Host a fundraising event

For more information, visit: https://psychweek.org.au/

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and provides a great opportunity to raise awareness about epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder and seizures are caused by a disruption of the electrical activity in the brain. Up to 70% of people with epilepsy become seizure free with medication, however, this means 30% do not gain full seizure control.

“800,000 Australians will develop epilepsy during their lifetime.”

An easy way to spread awareness is to get involved this November by :

Hosting a Tea4E event

Volunteering with the organisation

Spreading awareness about epilepsy

For more information, visit: https://www.epilepsy.org.au/fundraise/tea4e/

National Bandanna Day is held every year on the last Friday in October. It is the flagship fundraising and awareness campaign for Canteen who aim to support young people impacted by cancer. Canteen helps support young people affected by cancer get access to programs, counselling and peer support.

Get involved this October by:

• Selling or purchasing bandannas
• Raising awareness on social media
• Making a donation
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Hosting a fundraising event

For more information, visit: https://www.bandannaday.org.au/

The Movember Foundation is the leading global health organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health, with the goal of preventing suicide in men, improving quality of life for men with prostate and testicular cancer, helping men take action in their health, raising funds during Movember, and having an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

“Globally, men die on average 6 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.”

Be a part of groundbreaking change and support ‘The Movember Foundation’ to address the crisis at a global level. By ensuring men have the information, tools and resources to look after their health they can live life to the fullest.

To get involved:

• Donate to the foundation
• Grow a moustache to show your support
• Organise a fundraiser
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information: https://au.movember.com/

Blue Knot Day is Blue Knot Foundation’s national awareness day celebrated in October every year. On this day, all Australians are asked to unite in support of the 5 million Australian adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.

“A credible estimate is that 1 in 4 Australian adults are living with the impacts of childhood trauma alone.”

The tangled knot in the Blue Knot Day logo symbolises the complexity of childhood trauma, with blue representing the colour of the sky and a clear blue sky providing the space for new possibilities. Blue Knot Day is an opportunity for all Australians to unite and untangle the knot and complexities of trauma and abuse to support the recovery, resilience and empowerment of survivors.

Get involved this October by:

• By holding an event in your workplace or community
• Sharing through social media
• Purchasing Blue Knot Foundation merchandise
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.blueknot.org.au/BlueKnotDay

Every year, October is an opportunity to celebrate Mental Health Month in NSW. Everyone is encouraged to think about their mental health and wellbeing. It also provides an opportunity to recognise the importance of good mental health, and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

This year, the theme of Mental Health Month is ‘Tune In’. This is aimed at encouraging everyone to be present and aware of what is happening within themselves as well as in the surroundings, in the community and understand the impact of attitudes.

It is estimated that 45% of people aged 16-85 will experience a mental disorder at some time in their life.

By taking a moment to ‘Tune In’, everyone can have a chance to focus their mind and gain insight about what is going on personally and for others. By tuning in, people can find new perspectives and have an opportunity for personal reflection which can help build self-awareness and build positive connections.

To get involved this October by:

• Tuning into your senses – your feelings
• Tuning into your communities
• Tuning into stigma
• Hosting an event
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: http://mentalhealthmonth.wayahead.org.au/about-mental-health-month/

ONE DAY: ONE FOCUS: ENDING POLIO 

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. Most know it as polio virus. The virus is spread from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine.

“Cases due to wild poliovirus have decreased by over 99% since 1988, from an estimated 350 000 cases then, to 33 reported cases in 2018.”

Once polio is eradicated, the world can celebrate the delivery of a major global public good that will benefit all people equally, no matter where they live.

Continue this fall in Polio by:

• Volunteering
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• Donating

For more information, visit: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day

This year, Limb Difference Awareness Week is running from 19 – 25 October and serves as an opportunity to raise awareness of people living with a hand or limb difference. The aim of this week is to promote inclusion and inspire others through the stories shared. Limb Difference Awareness Week is hosted by the Aussie Hands Foundation, who work to provide support, information and encouragement to people born with a hand difference.

As of December 2019, there were 602 children registered on the Australian Hand Difference Register.

Get involved this October by:

• Making a donation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Becoming a sponsor

For more information, visit: https://www.aussiehands.org/limb-difference-awareness-week/

World Osteoporosis Day is an initiative designed to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good bone health. Osteoporosis causes bones to break easily from becoming weak and fragile. Even something like a minor fall, a bump, a sneeze, or a sudden movement could cause a break. Fractures caused by osteoporosis can cause major pain, long-term disability and life-threatening situations.

“Worldwide, one in three women and one in five men aged 50 years and over will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.”

With over 1 million Australian’s affected by osteoporosis, it impacts both men and women and most commonly occurs in those over 50. Early detection is important in order to help manage bone health and prevent fractures.

To get involved this October:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Volunteer

For more information, visit: 
http://worldosteoporosisday.org/
https://www.osteoporosis.org.au/world-osteoporosis-day