It's National Influenza Vaccination Week PLUS National Handwashing Awareness Week!

Every year in December, we’re reminded of the importance of protecting ourselves and others by stopping the spread of flu. 

The two easiest ways to do that are:

1. Getting the flu vaccine
2. Washing our hands

According to the CDC, these simple preventative measures can have a huge impact.

That’s why National Handwashing Awareness Week and National Influenza Vaccination Week occur together every year in the beginning of December. 

What is National Handwashing Awareness Week?

During National Handwashing Awareness Week health organizations focus on the importance of good hand hygiene and teaching us the best way to wash our hands. This year, Handwashing Awareness Week takes place December 1-7. 

Handwashing Awareness Week is now more important than ever, and can even help save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

According to the CDC, washing your hands with soap and water is one of the easiest and best ways to stop the spread of germs and help keep you and others from getting sick!

The proper steps of handwashing, according to the CDC are:

1. Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold doesn't matter) and apply soap
2. Lather the soap until it bubbles on the back of your hands, under your nails, and between your fingers
3. Scrub your hands for 20 seconds (that's as long as the happy birthday song!)
4. Rinse your hands until they're clean
5. Grab a clean towel or air-dry your hands (for a green-friendly alternative)

It's important to know not just how to wash your hands, but also when. 

When to wash your hands:

• Before eating
• Before, during, and after handling food
• Before and after caring for a sick person
• Before and after touching a cut or wound
• After using the bathroom
• After playing with your pets
• Any time your hands look or feel dirty or greasy

What is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)?

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a national awareness week focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination. This year, NIVW takes place the week of December 5-11.

What is influenza?

Influenza (more commonly called the flu) is a contagious respiratory virus that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms, but for some it’s much more serious.

In fact, the CDC estimates that flu causes 12,000 to 52,000 deaths per year. 

How does the flu spread?

According to the CDC, 

“Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by tiny droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby. Less often, a person might get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes.”

How can the flu shot help?

The influenza vaccine, known as the flu shot, helps create immunity to flu viruses. But new viruses spread each year, so the flu vaccine is different from year to year.

That's why the CDC recommends getting the flu shot every year. 

The vaccine is usually available in September or October, and can be given well into January and even February in some cases.

Not everyone can get the flu shot. Some individuals, including babies under 6 months old and people with severe allergies or certain health conditions aren’t able to receive it. 

So be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated. 

Celebrate to Save Lives

Do your part this December by encouraging your loved ones to wash their hands, get their flu shot, and stay healthy. You can spread the word on social media, at school, and even at work!

There's no better way to help than to protect yourself and your loved ones. So wash your hands, visit your local clinic for your vaccine, and start fighting germs today!

Mustaches have become a symbol of awareness for men's health during the month of November.

From handlebar mustaches to the classic English mustache, the famous mutton chops, and even the famous “Monopoly man” mustache. 

You may have noticed that November is the month of the mustache. You may have even heard of No Shave November. But you may be wondering just what facial hair has to do with awareness.

What is Movember?

Movember is the only global charity focused solely on men’s health.

Cleverly combining the words mustache and November, Movember is helping to transform how men think about their health – and how they act on it.

During the month of November, the charity, their partners, and advocates worldwide focus on raising awareness and funding for research on critical issues in men’s health. Their main focuses are on mental health and suicide prevention and prostate and testicular cancer.

Why is Movember Important?

According to the Movember charity, 

“Men’s health is in crisis. Men are dying on average 6 years earlier than women, and for largely preventable reasons.”

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in 2019 men died by suicide over 3.5 times more than women did. Jill Harkavy-Friedman of the AFSP says:

"Men seek help for mental health less often...they're a little less likely to know they have whatever stresses or mental health conditions that are putting them at greater risk for suicide."

Prostate and testicular cancer are also leading causes of death among men. And testicular cancer is the most common cancer in young men. 

Movember allows us to raise awareness on these cancers to help with early detection and treatment that can be life-saving!

How is Movember Helping?

The Movember charity is the leading charity fighting for awareness on men's health. Since 2003, the foundation and their partners have raised funds to help more than 1,250 projects focused on men's health issues.

They’ve also created a social media storm with the hashtags #movember #menshealth and #mentalhealth on Twitter and Instagram! Memes have also been big since the start of Movember, making their mark on Reddit threads everywhere.

Projects that have been funded through the help of Movember include:

• Clinician Scientist Awards to help progress prostate cancer research
• Men in Mind that helps doctors better understand their male patients and men's distress
• Assisting Fathers in Mourning to help fathers who are grieving the loss of a child
• GAP5-TIGER trial to find treatment for testicular cancer that keeps coming back

How Can I Help?

There are many ways you can help this Movember besides growing a mustache! 

Some ideas to help include:

1. Encourage others to grow their mustache and share it on social media! The more people who participate and talk, the more awareness is spread on men's health!

2. Donate once through the Movember website, or set up a fundraiser on your own to help your choice of men's health charity. Some great charities to consider besides Movember are:

• Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Testicular Cancer Society
• The Face It Foundation
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• Local charities to help men in your community, such as the Salvation Army

3. Team up with your school, work, or family and join one of Movember's fundraising challenges while competing against other teams! Some challenges you can join today include:

• Mo first-responder challenge
• Big mustache on campus challenge
• NHL hockey fights cancer challenge
• Mo LGBTQ Challenge
• Mo business club challenge
• Mo wispy lips challenge

4. Educate yourself on the signs of depression. 

According to Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, or SAVE, some warning signs of someone who might be thinking of suicide include:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Looking for a way to end their life
• Talking about feeling hopeless 
• Giving away items
• Talking about plans for suicide
• Increasing drug or alcohol use
• Worsening anxiety or depression

If you notice these signs, reach out for help. Share the suicide hotline number of 800-273-8255. Even if you don't know someone struggling with thoughts of suicide, sharing warning signs and resources for suicide prevention on social media can help save lives not just in Movember, but every month! And remember, if you feel this is an emergency and your loved one's life is at stake, dial 911 and get help right away!

Be the Change for Men Everywhere this Movember

It’s important that we work to create a world that understands the unique health needs faced by individuals and groups of individuals and prevents premature deaths. This Movember, you can help to raise awareness on men's health and save lives. Whether it's by growing out a mustache, encouraging others to, or by sharing the message of Movember, your voice counts!

October brings with it cool, crisp weather, pumpkins, falling leaves, and of course, Health Literacy Month!

For the past 20 years, Health Literacy Month has been a time for advocacy groups, hospitals, businesses, and communities to work together to spread awareness on the importance of health literacy.

What is Health Literacy?

According to the CDC, health literacy is an individual’s ability to find, understand, and use information to help them make well-informed decisions about their health and body.

Some examples of this can include:

• Understanding what your medication is and what it’s used for
• Having knowledge of your body and how it works
• Knowing when to visit a doctor or an emergency room
• Understanding why you might need surgery
• Understanding the risks behind medical procedures

There are many things that can impact a person’s health literacy including age, education, culture, language, and more.

But it’s important to point out that low health literacy affects individuals of all backgrounds. And even those with high overall literacy can have low health literacy.

Why is Health Literacy Important?

Health literacy has a significant effect on overall health. Individuals with low health literacy often avoid going to the doctor until too late. And many suffer from ailments or injuries that could be easily treated if caught early.

And health literacy is just as important to doctors and other medical providers. If their patients don’t understand them, they don’t trust them, and they don’t get the best care. 

In the words of Former United States Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin,

“Health literacy is as important for clinicians as it is for patients. To bridge the gap between the medical information provided and its implementation, we need health professionals who are able to speak the language and understand the culture of their patients.”

When people are health literate, they can share their concerns with their doctor easily, like telling them they’re having pain or other symptoms.

This allows doctors to understand their patient’s health concerns and patients to understand their overall health too.

The Cost of Low Health Literacy

The physical, emotional, and financial costs associated with lower health literacy can be high.

Many individuals wait to seek care until their symptoms become too much for them to live with. By then, issues or injuries that may have been less expensive and less invasive to treat, might be much worse and more expensive.

According to the Office of Disease Prevention, low health literacy can cause people to go to the emergency room (ER) more often than they need to.

Constant visits to the ER can be expensive. They can also be frustrating.

While the emergency room is the best place to handle a true emergency, it isn’t the right place for everything. And long wait-times just to be told you need care elsewhere can lead some to avoid seeking treatment in the future.

How Culture Impacts Health Literacy

Our beliefs about health and healthcare are shaped by not only our personal experiences and values, but our cultural, religious, and historical experiences and values as well.

It’s critical that we recognize the importance of culture and community on health and health literacy. According to the Center for Health Care Strategies,

“If cultural norms do not match up with the dominant values of the healthcare system, an individual — even with adequate reading, writing, and numeracy skills — can have trouble accessing health services, communicating with providers, and pursuing effective self-management. Such cultural mismatches — along with low socio-economic levels and historic discrimination — have contributed to disparities in health and health care experienced by individuals in racial, ethnic, and linguistic minority groups.”

Barriers to Health Literacy

The CDC estimates 9 out of 10 people struggle to understand medical information when it isn’t put in simple language. And there is a lot of work being done to encourage doctors to speak simply to their patients to help with this.

But for some, that’s not enough.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups who don’t speak English as their first-language are at high risk of having low health literacy.

Older age, living below the poverty line, lower education levels, and living with disabilities are other significant barriers to health literacy.

How Can Health Literacy Month Help?

The Institute for Healthcare Advancement, also known as the IHA, began its efforts to help improve health literacy in 1999. Today, they use social media, fliers, newsletters, and other outreach programs to spread the word on health literacy during the month of October and encourage other medical groups to do the same!

According to the IHA, the goal is simple to,

“build a world where all individuals have access to quality health outcomes.”

To do that, they work directly with doctors, medical groups, and others committed to improving health literacy for everyone.

There are also other groups dedicated to improving health literacy. Like the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Community centers and community clinics are also great for providing free classes, translators, and other resources to help support those with low health literacy and help those who want to learn about their health and their options.

What Can I Do to Help?

Some things you can do to help raise awareness for Health Literacy Month are:

• Making fliers on health literacy and sharing them
• Creating an email list to educate people
• Share the health literacy month website
• Work with your community for outreach opportunities
• Use social media to spread awareness

Here you can find fliers, social media posts, videos and more already made and ready to share!

You can share these tips with others, spread the word on social media and blogs, or even use these tips yourself with a loved one to help them improve their health.

Educate and Inform this October

While Health Literacy Month technically ends with Halloween, it’s importance stays the same all year long.

Take time this month, and in the months to come, to talk to people at your school, work, or at home about health literacy and why it matters. Ask them to spread awareness and give suggestions on what they can do to let others know health literacy month is in full swing! 

What is Hispanic & LatinX Heritage Month

“Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the history and countless contributions that Latinos have made to the nation over the years. This month we also honor the cultural richness of Hispanics, who come from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.” — National Hispanic Council On Aging (NHCOA),

Originally enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, the annual celebration was originally only a week long. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed the bill that extended it to a month-long celebration from September 15 — October 15 every year.

Today, Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated nationwide as a way to honor the contributions made by Hispanic Americans.

It’s common to see displays of art, music, literature, poetry, food, clothing, and other cultural expressions as well as recognition of those who have contributed to the fields of science, business, and politics.

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated over two different months?

Most heritage months begin on the first and end on the last day of the month. So, why is Hispanic Heritage Month different?

September 15th is the day that several Hispanic nations gained independence from Spain. These nations include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

When President Johnson originally established Hispanic Heritage Week, it began every year on September 15th as a way to honor this date. The week also included the anniversaries of the dates Mexico, Chile, and Belize each gained independence.

When the celebration was expanded to a month, it made sense to continue to honor these important dates.

Who celebrates Hispanic & Latin X Heritage Month and why?

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated by all Americans as a way of recognizing and honoring the unique cultural contributions of the many Hispanic individuals and groups within the US.

According to the US Census Bureau, the month-long period was set aside to,

“celebrate the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.”

2021 Hispanic Heritage Month Theme

Every year The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) chooses the theme and the poster that will represent Hispanic Heritage Month.

This year’s theme — “ESPERANZA: A CELEBRATION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE AND HOPE”

Here are the posters for this year! Click here to learn more about the artists

The Deadliest Day of the Year

For many living in the US, Independence Day is a day of celebration - a day to spend with family and friends. A day of BBQs, fireworks, and expressions of freedom. 

But it’s also the most dangerous day of the year. 

According to the Pew Research Center, 

“45,000 people visit U.S. hospital emergency rooms for treatment of injuries on July 4 and 5 – nearly 91,000 in total, by far the highest daily numbers in the entire year.”

What accounts for this surge in injuries?

The top two causes are fireworks and alcohol. 

Accidents involving alcohol and/or fireworks account for the majority of deaths and injuries that occur over the 4th of July holiday but other injuries are also more common. 

Fireworks-Related Accidents

The most common injuries (not surprisingly) are caused by fireworks. In fact, fireworks-related accidents surge for several weeks surrounding the holiday. 

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) 2019 fireworks annual report,

“An estimated 7,300 fireworks-related injuries (or 73 percent of the total estimated fireworks-related injuries in 2019) were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during the 1-month special study period between June 21, 2019 and July 21, 2019 (95 percent confidence interval 4,700-9,900).” 

While it may not surprise you to learn that fireworks cause so many injuries (and deaths), what may surprise you is that many of these accidents are caused by what has been labeled “safe and sane” fireworks. 

In fact, hand-held child-friendly fireworks, like the much-beloved sparklers, account for a huge number of serious burn injuries each year. 

And while accidents involving fireworks do account for the largest number of injuries, they aren’t the only type of injuries that occur in higher numbers on the 4th. 

Driving-Related Accidents

There are more car accidents, primarily alcohol-related accidents, on the 4th of July than any other holiday - including New year’s Eve!

According to a 2017 report by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), July has higher rates of alcohol-related accidents than any other month. 

And while this graph from the National Safety Commission shows that there are fewer fatalities caused by drunk driving in recent years than in the past, 4th of July still trends much higher than average. 

Other Common Injuries

Fireworks and traffic accidents aren’t the only causes of the increase in injuries on this holiday. 

Other common causes include:

Grilling Accidents 

Grilling safety is such a big concern, the CDC has an entire page dedicated to it. Burns, cuts, and improperly cooked food account for the majority of these types of injuries. 

Food Poisoning

Food-borne illnesses are common around the holidays. And with BBQs and potlucks taking center stage on Independence Day, food from multiple households is often left out all day. Combined with the July heat, this contributes to high numbers of food-borne illnesses on this particular day. 

Drownings/Water & Boating Accidents

Pools, lakes, beaches, water parks - water and the 4th tend to go hand-in-hand, especially in the warmer areas of the US. Combined with increased alcohol consumption, drownings and near-drownings occur far more frequently on this day than others.

According to the CPSC, 

“The July 4th holiday has traditionally seen an increase in the number of pool and spa drownings, compared to an average week during the rest of the summer.” 

Heat Stroke/Dehydration/Sunburn

Heat & sun injuries are also common on the 4th of July as Americans gather outdoors to celebrate. Hot July temperatures and all the fun-in-the-sun activities lead to the increased rates of these injuries. 

Lasting Impact of 4th of July Injuries

We wanted to learn more about the impact of these holiday-related injuries on individuals and families. So, we reached out to our Evidation Members. 

We asked a series of questions to find out how many of them had been injured (or had a family member injured) on 4th of July as well as to determine the level of impact the injury had and any lasting effects.

Here’s what we learned. 

Only 5% of respondents said that they (or someone in their immediate family) had been injured on the 4th of July. 

Of those over 6% required hospitalization, 35% were treated in the ER, and over 25% were treated in an urgent care. 

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52% of those injured changed their habits as a result of the injury and over 25% said that the injury significantly impacted family members or loved ones. 

What does this tell us?

That the majority of those who were injured were hurt badly enough to require emergency medical attention AND badly enough to inspire lasting changes to their holiday traditions. 

Independence Day Safety Tips

Injuries may be more common on the 4th of July, but you can reduce the risk by celebrating safely!

Nothing is less fun than spending a holiday in the ER. A few simple precautions can help ensure a safe, fun day for you and your family. 

Here are some tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe while celebrating! 

1. Watch a public fireworks show! Many cities, and even small towns, offer fireworks displays. This is a great way to enjoy the show without personal risk. 
2. If you do use personal fireworks, do so before consuming alcoholic beverages, keep a water supply within reach, avoid lighting fireworks while in hand, and supervise children and animals closely. 
3. Stay hydrated! Make sure to drink plenty of water. And remember, if you celebrate with alcohol as well, double your water intake!
4. Use a designated driver! Don’t get behind the wheel after drinking. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a cocktail or a beer while celebrating, but be responsible!
5. Use sun protection. Dress appropriately for the weather and use sunscreen if you will be outdoors.
6. If you’ll be near water, drink responsibly and supervise children carefully! 
7. Keep an eye on food left out and make sure anything you eat (or give children to eat) is fully cooked and kept at safe temperatures.
   

June is National Adopt a Cat Month!

Thousands of kittens are born each year, and many of them end up in shelters. In fact, an article on humanpro.org reports that over 3.2 million cats end up in shelters each year. And 27% end up euthanized. Many others end up living out their lives in shelters, never adopted.

And while cat adoption rates in the US are going up in recent years, there are still so many left without homes.

Even more never find their way to shelters, and instead roam communities as feral strays. The impact of this is severe, and not just for the cats.

A 2018 article addressing the disastrous impact feral cats have on communities and the environment reported that,

“Feral, free-roaming cats have been documented by dozens of studies to be indiscriminate killers of wildlife and the cause of at least 63 species extinctions, according to a 2016 analysis of invasive species impacts.”

Adopting a cat (or two!) doesn’t just help the animal, it helps our communities and ecosystem too. And studies show that we are healthier, happier, and live better when we share our homes with pets.

Health Benefits of Having a Cat

According to a study by the University of Indiana, just watching videos of cats,

“does more than simply entertain; it boosts viewers’ energy and positive emotions and decreases negative feelings.”

If seeing a cat video online can do so much for our mental health, just imagine the benefits of snuggling up with a cat or two of your own!

And cats aren’t the only pets to provide health benefits. Studies show that there are numerous physical and mental health benefits to sharing our homes with pets.

According to a CDC article on pets and people,

“Studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners. Some of the health benefits of having a pet include:

Decreased blood pressure

Decreased cholesterol levels

Decreased triglyceride levels

Decreased feelings of loneliness

Increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities

Increased opportunities for socialization”

And a study from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that children that grow up in homes with pets are less likely to develop allergic diseases.

In the news release summarizing the study, the chief of the allergic mechanisms section at NIAID states,

“This new finding changes the way scientists think about pet exposure; scientists must now figure out how pet exposure causes a general shift of the immune system away from an allergic response.”

With increased rates of allergies and autoimmune disorders in recent years, early exposure to animals could potentially mean a HUGE health benefit!

Where to Adopt

The best way to adopt a cat (or any pet) is by visiting your local animal shelter. The following resources are great search tools to help you find one near you!

Petfinder.com

ASPCA Shelter Search

Adoptapet.com

The Shelter Pet Project

And, if you need some guidance or more information before bringing home your new addition to the family, this checklist from American Humane is an excellent resource.

Member Insights

We’re excited about Adopt a Cat Month and about the many health benefits of having a pet.

And we wanted to know how many of our Evidation Members currently have pets. So, we asked.

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Out of the 19,118 individuals who answered the question, 13,451 currently share their home with a pet.

That’s over 70% percent!

Next time, we’ll have to find out what types of pets Evidation Members prefer!

Honoring Juneteenth

At Evidation, we celebrate the connection between identity and whole person health. In this spirit, we honor Juneteenth (short for “June 19th”) which marks the end of slavery in the United States.

What is Juneteenth

While Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st, 1863, only a tiny number of people were actually freed at that point.

In Texas, the last enslaved African Americans were declared free two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation and two long months after the fall of the city of Richmond.

Juneteenth, which commemorates the anniversary of that historical event, June 19th, 1865, has been observed and celebrated ever since.

Juneteenth is not just a pivotal landmark in American history for many Black Americans, but a representation of independence, freedom, and hope. A moment in time where the road to equality seemed more visible than it had ever been. Some of the most impactful pioneers in the history of civil rights were born from the breath of life that June 19th generated.

History of Juneteenth Celebrations

Juneteenth festivals could be observed extending from one state to another as formerly enslaved individuals relocated throughout the country.

Juneteenth celebrations commonly included singing, dancing, and coming together over food and fellowship.

Some of the first sightings of Black fashion have been connected to Juneteenth celebrations as clothing was a vital part of these festivities.

One way for formerly enslaved people to celebrate their emancipation was by wearing bright and vivid attire that they were unable to wear while enslaved. There are significant connections between those early festivities and modern-day Juneteenth gatherings that exist today.

Juneteenth Inspires

While we celebrate Juneteenth this weekend, let’s use this as an opportunity to remember that the fight for equality and liberty for Black Americans is not yet finished. Many injustices persist, and we must reflect on their impact on health and identity.

Today we fight to bridge the gap to access essential resources, education, healthcare, and equal opportunities, and representation that one day will be celebrated in ways that Juneteenth has paved the way for.

The True Meaning of Memorial Day

For many of us, memorial day is the unofficial start of summer. It’s the day the neighborhood pool opens. The day the parks, beaches, and amusement areas start filling up. The day the BBQs, picnics, and beach parties begin.

And it’s good that we enjoy these things. After all, it’s for these things that our service members fight.

But while we enjoy these freedoms, we should also take the time to remember why we honor memorial day in the first place.

History.com defines Memorial Day as,

“an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.”

Unlike Veteran’s Day, which honors all of our service members, Memorial Day is special in that it is a day of remembrance.

And for our veterans and for the families and loved-ones of fallen service members, Memorial Day is often a day of honor and pain. A day of remembering. A day of visiting graves and paying tribute to fallen friends and loved-ones.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day (formally Decoration Day) was declared a national holiday in 1971 but has been observed since the end of the American Civil War.

And while the tradition of visiting the graves of fallen soldiers began sometime during the civil war, the first recognized formal observance was held in May 1868 and annually after that.

The first recorded observance, however, actually occurred three years earlier, just after the end of the war. It was held by freed slaves in Charleston, South Carolina in honor of fallen union soldiers.

If you’re interested in learning more, this post from History.com is an excellent resource.

Memorial Day, Mental Health, and Veteran Suicide

While memorial day traditionally focuses on those who’ve given their lives while in active duty, it’s important that we not lose sight of those who’ve given all in service, whether their sacrifice occurred during active duty or after their service has ended.

Rates of mental health problems and suicide among vets and active duty service members are staggering and and have increased in recent years. Many sources indicate a rate of around 20 suicides per day.

According to an article by Militarytimes on the latest report on veteran suicide rates,

“The rate of suicide among veterans ticked upwards in recent years despite increased public attention and funding on the problem.”

It’s important to note that while this report was released in November 2020, the numbers reflect rates from 2015–2018. Data suggests that these rates have continued to increase and have escalated even more during the Covid-19 pandemic.

So, since May is also Mental Health Awareness Month, we’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to those who’ve lost their lives in service to this country — both on the battlefield and at home — and we’d like to remember those who are still with us but struggling.

Thank you. And thank you to the families of those we’ve lost. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Resources

Honoring The Fallen On Memorial Day

• Carry The Load
• How Do You Place A Flag On A Veteran’s Grave
• Wreaths Across America

Nonprofits Supporting Veteran & Military Families

• America’s Gold Star Families
• Highly-Rated Nonprofits Dedicated to Veterans and Military Service Members

Veteran Mental Health & Suicide Prevention

• Veteran Suicide Prevention
• Veteran Mental Health
• Mental Health Resources For The Military Community
  

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