March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

March 4, 2022

In Alaska, brain injuries are particularly prevalent compared to the rest of the country. Alaska leads the nation in traumatic brain injury-related deaths, with falls being the leading cause of brain injury (41%), followed by motor vehicle incidents (24%) and assaults (11%). March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and UAA鈥檚 Center for Human Development is engaging in significant work to better understand traumatic and acquired brain injuries in Alaska.

鈥淎 brain injury can happen to anyone at any point in their life,鈥  said Danielle Reed, director of Community Services at the UAA Center for Human Development. 鈥淔ollowing an injury, many people are sent home with few resources and have limited access to appropriate follow-up care. Brain injury is an invisible disability and someone recovering from an injury might have challenges with things like thinking, memory, sleep, vision or depression. It鈥檚 important they have access to the right support and resources to aid their recovery.鈥

Building on the work of and in partnership with agencies such as the Alaska Brain Injury Network and the Alaska Department of Seniors and Disabilities Services, UAA鈥檚 Center for Human Development coordinates the Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury (TABI) Advisory Council. The council engages in advocacy at the state and federal levels and creates a vision for Alaska鈥檚 system of support for persons with TABI through development of the Alaska State Plan for Brain Injury focused on prevention, awareness, resources, data and infrastructure.

This month, members of the TABI council and the broader Alaska community are sharing their experiences, perspectives and knowledge to raise awareness of the impacts of brain injury in Alaska.

鈥淏rain injury does not discriminate 鈥 if you have a brain, you are already vulnerable,鈥 said Guylene Derry, TABI project coordinator/resource navigator at Daybreak and Alaska TABI Advisory Council member.

鈥淎s common as potholes in spring, so are the number of brain injuries in our state,鈥 said Derry.

Many council members have become advocates because they have first-hand experience and understand how important  useful resources are for individuals and families of individuals who have sustained a brain injury. Rebecca Young, LPC, CBIS, is a UAA clinical-community psychology graduate student]. "Recovering from a traumatic brain injury can be a slow process,鈥 said Young. 鈥淲e do not hike a mountain with a broken leg. When recovering from a head injury we must manage our expectations on what we can achieve day to day.鈥

Learn more:

  • Follow the UAA  and the College of Health social media channels (,  and ) for Alaska brain injury facts and personal stories.
  • Practice prevention by wearing a helmet, ice cleats and rubber soled shoes. Use handrails and take care on the road.
  • Get a brain injury screening if you鈥檝e fallen, been in an accident or had a recent concussion.
  • Share your stories through the .

Events:

  • March 3:  from the Brain Injury Association of America.
  • March 7:  from the Center for Disease Control.
  • March 9:   from the Allen Institute.
  • March 14: , hosted by the UAA Pre-Med Club for UAA students.
  • March 15: , a free online training from UAA鈥檚 Center for Human Development.
  • March 16:  from the Brain Injury Association of America.
  • March 16:  hosted by the National Association of State Head Injury Administrators.
  • March 25: , naturopathic physician, Alaska TABI Advisory Council member on UAA鈥檚 Student Health and Counseling Center.
  • March 26: , a fun neuroscience competition for high school students hosted by UAA, providing activities such as a Neurotour in the Planetarium, sheep brain dissections and live rat training demonstrations. 
  • March 31:  from the Brain Injury Association of America.
  • April 8:  hosted by UAA鈥檚 Center for Human Development.
  • April 22: Springfest: Shine the Light (Goose Lake, 5-9 p.m.), an event offering information about domestic violence and partner-inflicted brain injury as well as food trucks, canoes, games and more.

Check out the  and  websites for additional activities.