March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and in recognition the CDC Injury Center and the CDC Foundation are partnering to launch the Heads Up TBI Film Festival, an online collection of video and written testimonials about traumatic brain injury. According to Gail Hayes, senior press officer at the CDC Injury Center, “The goal of the film festival is to…give voice to TBI—so it is no longer the ‘silent epidemic.’”
Interested parties are invited to log onto YouTube Heads Up Film Festival Channel and upload a video sharing his or her personal story dealing with TBI, including why they feel it is an important issue, then tag the video with “HeadsUpFilmFestival.” Individuals who do not have access to the Internet or an interest in making a video can share their experiences on the festival’s Facebook page. There are no specific incentives for participating or specific story criteria. A compilation video will be created using stories submitted at the end of month.
The Heads Up initiative provides an opportunity to empower survivors of TBI—especially affected military service members—while providing assistance and information to survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, parents, coaches, children, and other stakeholders. For more information on TBI, including festival information, data and statistics, signs and symptoms, what to do if you have a brain injury, and where to find support and resources, as well as downloadable educational materials please visit the CDC’s TBI page, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center page, the Defense Centers of Excellence Brain Injury Awareness Month page, the NIDRR-funded TBI National Data and Statistical Center, or contact a NARIC information specialist today!
