DoD Unveils New PSA, Launches Social Media Campaign for Brain Injury Awareness Month
A Head for the Future encourages the military community to #ThinkAhead in March
By the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
SILVER SPRING, Md., March 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, A Head for the Future is releasing a new public service announcement (PSA), "Power to Prevent," which follows a day in the life of a service member who takes precautions to avoid traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Department of Defense TBI awareness initiative is also highlighting resources and the personal stories of TBI survivors throughout the month as part of a #ThinkAhead social media campaign to inform people about preventing, recognizing and recovering from TBI.
"Through the PSA and our social media campaign, we want the military community to absorb three simple messages for Brain Injury Awareness Month – be safe, know the signs, and get help," said Scott Livingston, director of education at the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC). "The A Head for the Future initiative provides a variety of resources — such as compelling video testimonials of TBI survivors and information about recognizing symptoms — to raise awareness of TBI among service members, veterans and their families."
The "Power to Prevent" PSA shows how one service member prevents TBI by staying safe during his everyday activities: riding a bike, playing basketball, riding a motorcycle and hanging out with friends. The video also includes tips to help viewers reduce the risk of sustaining a TBI.
To complement the PSA, the #ThinkAhead social media campaign on the A Head for the Future Facebook and Twitter pages will feature images submitted by TBI survivors and their supporters. Anyone can download the #ThinkAhead hashtag card to share a personal message about TBI or support for Brain Injury Awareness Month. Those who take a photo holding the card can either submit the photo to A Head for the Future for posting or share the photo with their own social media networks.
According to recent DoD data, since 2000 more than 352,000 service members were diagnosed with TBI — most as a result of injuries in noncombat settings. Falls, motor vehicle collisions, sports-related incidents and training accidents are the most common causes of noncombat-related brain injuries among service members. Many brain injuries can be prevented simply by wearing protective equipment, knowing your surroundings and avoiding risky behavior, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Visit dvbic.dcoe.mil/aheadforthefuture to learn more, and follow A Head for the Future on Twitter and Facebook.
SOURCE Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
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