Did you know that concussions are the most common form of head injury? Each year in B.C., almost 600 people are hospitalized for a concussion, and approximately 14,500 visit the emergency department. Termed the 'invisible injury', this number is likely an underestimate due to underreporting and a lack of public education and awareness. September 26 to October 1, 2021 marks the first annual B.C. Concussion Awareness Week, established to encourage everyone to understand how to prevent, recognize, respond to and manage concussions.
“The real danger of most concussions occurs when the injury is not recognized or is managed incorrectly," explained Dr. Shelina Babul, Associate Director/Sports Injury Specialist with the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit. “Concussions require immediate recognition, followed by 48 hours of physical and cognitive rest. Returning to full activity too soon can result in more severe symptoms or long-term problems."
Concussion Awareness Training Tool
Concussions can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time. Know how to recognize and respond to a concussion using the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT), developed by Dr. Babul and her team. The CATT website has seven online education modules tailored to provide current concussion information, tools, and resources for the following audiences: medical professionals, coaches, parents and caregivers, school professionals, university-level athletes, women's support workers, and workers and workplaces.
Concussion recovery
Any head injury needs to be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has had a concussion, the VCH online resource MyGuide: Concussion helps adults manage and recover from their injury. Developed by a team of experienced clinicians and content experts at VCH, the guide helps users design a customized guide for their recovery and to track their progress.
