May is Mental Health Month. During this month, we aim to raise awareness about mental health, how common mental health disorders are, and how occupational therapy plays a role in treatment. Mental health issues can be categorized in many different ways depending on the individual.

Alcohol is still the number one addictive substance that kills young people compared to any other substance. Knowing this, we must continue to understand the facts about alcohol consumption in order to keep young adults safe. Alcohol Awareness month takes place throughout the month of April.

Mental health has become a growing conversation since the late 1940s when trends began to display a decline in our cognitive functioning. However, 100 years prior, William Sweetzer first used the phrase “mental hygiene” and began to explore what encompasses mental health.

Providing support for someone on the autism spectrum can be a lifelong commitment. While high-functioning adults, or those who need less support in their daily lives, may be able to live on their own and provide for themselves, those diagnosed with severe ASD are typically unable to live on their own and may require assistance from a guardian their entire life.

The month of April is Occupational Therapy month! We aim to bring awareness to others about the discipline of occupational therapy this month and throughout the year. Occupational therapists can work with individuals of all ages, throughout the lifespan.

During the month of March, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics invites everyone to learn about nutrition for National Nutrition Month. There is so much to learn about our body chemistry and nutrition, and every person is unique. This month, we can all engage in finding more information to help us make the best choices we can for our health.

How important is your vision to you? Chances are, most individuals place high value on their vision and would aim to keep their vision healthy for as long as possible. As we age, our eyes can begin to degrade or fail in different ways.

During the month of March, organizations aim to raise awareness about conditions that affect the kidneys such as chronic kidney disease. There are many ways to manage kidney disease which can help lessen the severity of the disease over time, as this is a progressive condition.

With less than 40% of adults in the United States receiving less than seven hours of sleep each night, it is safe to assume this is an area almost half of us could improve upon in our lives (Gallup).

A disease called multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the central nervous system which is comprised of your brain and spinal cord. MS can be a slow progression of disability due to damage to the nerves in your brain or spinal cord. Nerves are protected by myelin, which forms a sheath around their fibers. MS creates an immune response and targets these protective coverings on the nerves.

Epilepsy affects more than 65,000,000 people around the world annually. As the 4th most common neurological disorder, it is estimated that roughly 1 in 26 people will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

What are eating disorders? Since the 1960s, we’ve watched eating disorder statistics rates double, and it isn’t hard to believe given the propaganda we’ve been subjected to. Roughly every fifty-two minutes, someone passes away from an eating disorder.

It’s February! Before you team up with Cupid and begin counting down to Valentine’s Day, let’s take a moment to discuss heart health and why it’s important to keep your heart’s health in mind.

Low vision affects many older individuals in the United States — millions, in fact. While low vision causes impaired sight, it is different than blindness. During the month of February, the National Eye Institute aims to raise awareness of the causes of this disease and how to recognize the signs if they are present.

This year, World Cancer Day has been dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals with cancer and how hard it can be to have their needs met. Individuals diagnosed with cancer have doctor’s appointments, medicines, treatments, special diets, and so much more.

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week takes place this year from February 21st to the 27th. This week is dedicated to examining and understanding the different types of eating disorders that are prevalent in our society and providing awareness and hope to the families that are affected.

During the month of February, the American Heart Association focuses on raising awareness about heart disease, heart conditions, and congestive heart failure. Heart failure reportedly affects over 6.2 million individuals in the United States.

Movement is so important for our bodies at all ages. As we get older, injury, illness, or mobility constraints may cause some individuals to move less. Ensuring we move our bodies will aid us in the future in so many ways.

The month of January is a time designated to focus on cervical health awareness in the United States. As with so many awareness campaigns, cervical cancer is a preventable disease with the proper measures taken. Through regular screening and vaccination, women can prevent cervical cancer or human papillomavirus (HPV) disease.

During the month of January, we join in spreading awareness about glaucoma. Most people have heard of glaucoma but may not be aware of how it affects your eyes. Typically, glaucoma is not detected without a dilated eye exam from your optometrist. Because glaucoma has no warning signs, it can occur rather unexpectedly.