September brings with it a return to a plethora of health and wellbeing initiatives. Here is a synopsis of the campaigns should you want to learn more or join in:
- World Alzheimer’s Month: the theme for this year is ‘Let’s talk about dementia’ and about breaking the silence on this debilitating disease. World Alzheimer’s Day is on 21 September.
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month: aiming to raise awareness about the symptoms and treatments of blood cancer. World Lymphoma Awareness Day is on 15 September.
- Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: to learn more about the charity’s work and aims, follow the link
- Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month: this is promoted by the charity, The Eve Appeal.
- Oddfellows Friendship Month: friendship truly is the essence of what the Oddfellows Society is all about. Their current mission statement is: ‘We’re on a mission to bring friends back together and encourage new connections after 18 months of isolation and social restrictions.’
- Organic September: this initiative is sponsored by the Soil Association with the aim of raising awareness of the many benefits of organic food and farming
- Urology Awareness Month: this initiative is promoted by the Urology Foundation. The aim of the month is to raise awareness of urological diseases of the kidneys and bladder and the prostate, in men. A secondary aim is to raise money for research into this area of health.
- Step Up September: this initiative is promoted by the Trussell Trust. It encourages us to get active to raise money for this charity would provide food for those in need in the UK. Follow the link to find out more.
- Migraine Awareness Week, 05-11 September: this initiative is promoted by the Migraine Trust and the theme this year is better migraine healthcare of those affected.
- Know Your Numbers Week, 06-12 September: this initiative is promoted by Blood Pressure UK and encourages people to get their blood pressure checked. High blood pressure is a major indicator of heart disease or stroke risk. Controlling it is usually easily managed by your GP.
- Youth Mental Health Day, 07 September: promoted by the organisation Stem4.org.uk, the theme for this year is how young people can #StrideForward with their mental health. Stem4.org.uk focuses on mental health support for teenagers and young people.
- World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September: this day is sponsored by the International Association for Suicide Prevention. According to WHO there are twenty people who have a suicide attempt for every one that is fatal, at a rate approximately one every three seconds. Suicide is the “most common cause of death for people aged 15 – 24.All the major mental health organisations in the UK have specialist pages dedicated to it: the Samaritans; the National Suicide Prevention Alliance; Mental Health UK: Rethink.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Week, 13-18 September: promoted by the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, the focus for this year is on Mental and Physical Wellbeing for people living with RA.
- Jeans for Genes, 13-19 September: this is the annual fundraising event for the genetic disorder community
- Orchid Male Cancer Awareness Week, 13-19 September: gives the Orchid Male Cancer Awareness charity the opportunity to highlight essential health awareness messages for men at risk of testicular, prostate or penile cancer.
- Sexual Health Week, 13-19 September: promoted by the Brook organisation, the theme for this week is the importance of consent in sexual relationships.
- Great British Beach Clean, 17-26 September: promoted by the Marine Conservation Society, think about getting fit while you do some good work cleaning up your local beaches after the summer visitor’s onslaught!
- Balance Awareness Week, 19-25 September: In the UK, this is promoted by the Meniere’s Society. The aim of the week is to broaden understanding of vestibular (inner ear) disorders and how they affect people’s day to day lives.
- World Mitochondrial Awareness Week, 19-25 September: mitochondrial disease is now thought to affect 1 in 5000 people.
- International Ataxia Awareness Day, 25 September: promoted by ataxia.org.uk, the ataxias are a rare group of neurological conditions that affect (amongst other things) balance, coordination, and speech. The purpose of the day is to increase awareness of the diseases in this group.
- National Eye Health Week, 20-26 September: promoted by Vision Matters, there’s lots of interesting stuff on these webpages including an Eye Health Calculator and a Sight Loss Simulator.
- Fire Door Safety Week, 20-26 September: sponsored by the British Woodworking Federation Group aiming to stamp out ‘the legacy of fire door neglect’.
- International Week of Happiness at Work Week, 20-26 September: an initiative that started in the Netherlands and is now worldwide. Check out Laughology’s webpages for some ideas of how to mark this week.
- Organ Donation Week, 20-26 September: promoted by the NHS to inspire family conversations about organ donation – ‘Go Pink’ for Organ Donation Week.
- World Reflexology Week, 20-26 September: if you haven’t heard of it, reflexology is an alternative therapy based round zone therapy. It works in the same way as acupuncture. For more information, follow the link.
- Bike to School Week, 27 September- 01 October: promoted by Sustrans and Bikeability, this promotion aims to encourage families to cycle or scoot to school and beyond.
- International World Heart Day 29 September: an international day to promote looking after your heart and how to prevent cardiovascular disease.
There are many initiatives to stimulate you to learn more, get involved and possibly change your health profile and habits in the short or long term.