World Mental Health Day 2018

World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.

“Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated”

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds.”

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Get involved this October by:

• Informing the community
• Taking care of your mental health
• Raising awareness on social media
• Volunteering

For more information: http://www.who.int/mental_health/world-mental-health-day/2018/en/

World Cerebral Palsy Day 2018

World Cerebral Palsy Day is a movement of people with cerebral palsy and their families, and the organisations that support them, in more than 65 countries. The vision is to ensure that children and adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society. It is only together, that we can make that happen.

“There are 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy (CP).”

Get involved this October by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating
• Organising a fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Sharing your stor

For more information, visit: https://worldcpday.org/

Sleep Awareness Week 2018

Sleep Awareness Week is a campaign designed to ascertain the importance of a good sleep schedule in maintaining good health. The campaign also seeks to raise awareness about the various sleeping disorders and their impact on human life. This Sleep Awareness Week the Sleep Health Foundation is turning its attention to the role of caffeine in our society. Therefore, the primary question is: “Could caffeine be masking a sleep disorder”.

“More than 1.5 million Australian adults, 9% of the adult population, now suffer from sleep disorders.”

To get involved:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Organise a fundraiser

For more information, visit: https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/sleep-awareness-week-2018.html

Dementia Awareness Month 2018

Dementia Awareness Month is Dementia Australia’s national awareness-raising campaign held every year throughout September.

Its aim is to encourage all Australians to become more aware of dementia, to get a better understanding of what it is like to live with dementia and how we can support people living with dementia.

This year’s theme is Small actions Big difference.

There are many small actions people can take to create a big difference for people impacted by dementia, their families and carers.

“Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians contributing to 5.4% of all deaths in males and 10.6% of all deaths in females each year”

Get involved this September by:

• Organising your own fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: https://www.dementia.org.au/dementia-awareness-month

Dystonia Awareness Week 2018

Dystonia awareness week is a campaign designed to increase community engagement and awareness of the condition and to provide appropriate, researched information for adults and children with dystonia, their carers and interested health providers.

Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that makes it difficult for people to control their muscles. It can cause abnormal twisting or positions in part(s) of the body along with spasms or tremors.

“Currently, there are no medications or treatments to prevent dystonia or slow its progression, nor is there a cure. “

Get involved this September by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Making a donation

For more information, visit: https://www.dystonia.org.au/what-is-dystonia/

Liptember 2018

Liptember is a campaign  dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women’s mental health whilst informing the community of specific women’s mental health research and support programs.

“One in three Australian women will suffer depression or anxiety during their lifetime.”

“Postnatal depression affects 15% of women within the first year after childbirth.”

Get involved this September by:

• Purchasing a Liptember lipstick from a participating store
• Volunteering with the foundation
• Organising your own fundraiser
• Raising awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://www.liptember.com.au/

Big Heart Appeal 2018

The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting people with cardiovascular disease.

As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and gifts in wills to continue lifesaving research, education and health promotion work.

The Big Heart Appeal is one such opportunity for the community to realise the overwhelming spread of cardiovascular diseases and make a contribution to the Heart Foundation to ensure that they continue their work into such important research

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death in Australia, with one Australian dying every 12 minutes. 

Get involved this September by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Donate to the foundation
• Organise a fundraiser
• Informing the community of the benefits of eating healthier

For more information, visit: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/campaigns/big-heart-appeal/big-heart-appeal-2018

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 2018

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is asking Australia to get involved and help create awareness and raise the much needed funds to help in the fight against prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in Australia with 20,000 diagnosis and close to 3,500 deaths each year.”

All men over 50 – or over 40 are encouraged –  if you have a family history – to talk with your GP about your prostate health.

Become a part this September by:

• Volunteering with the foundation
• Donating
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information, visit: http://www.prostate.org.au/get-involved/events/find-an-event/prostate-cancer-awareness-month-2018/

Dystonia Awareness Month 2018

Dystonia awareness month is designed to inform the community of the spreading condition and urge the community to join in helping those which are affected. Dystonia is a Neurological Movement Condition which affects adults and children. It can affect any part of the body and causes muscles to contract or spasm. This may cause pain, tremors, twisting and other uncontrollable movements.

Currently there is no cure. 

“Research from the United States indicates that dystonia is as common as multiple sclerosis in certain areas of the world including parts of the Australia.”

To get involved this September:

• Inform the community
• Raise awareness on social media
• Organise a fundraiser
• Donate to the foundation

For more information, visit: http://brainfoundation.org.au/event/dystonia-awareness-month-australia

National Stroke Week 2018

This year, Stroke Foundation is encouraging Australians to discover how easy it is to fit healthy habits into their day and do their part to prevent stroke.

It’s estimated that more than 80 percent of strokes can be prevented simply by managing risk factors and living a healthy lifestyle.

There are some risk factors for stroke which can’t be prevented like age, family history and prior stroke. If you’re male, your risk is also higher.

There are two ways to approach this: first by talking to your doctor and secondly by taking ownership of your own health

Fight stroke this September by:

• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation
• Raising awareness on social media
• Organising a fundraiser
• But MOST IMPORTANTLY, taking charge of your own health

For more information, visit: https://strokefoundation.org.au/How-you-can-help/Stroke-week