Join Us in Raising Awareness for These Causes in July

By Theo Smith, Communications Intern

Patient advocacy organizations work tirelessly to educate, promote, advocate, and raise awareness and funding for their causes. Awareness months give us the opportunity to rally around a common objective and show these organizations how much we appreciate their work. Here’s how you can help advance these groups’ missions and spread awareness.

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month

Juvenile arthritis (JA) affects nearly 300,000 children in the United States. The Arthritis Foundation understands the needs of families with juvenile arthritis are unique and pressing. The Arthritis Foundation offers free online resources and information about Juvenile Arthritis for parents and patients.

Ways to get involved:

• Sign up for The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis.
• Learn more about JA at the Juvenile Arthritis National Conference.

Register for JA Camp, a place where campers gain a greater understanding of their own diagnosis and treatment; develop peer-to-peer support; increase independence and self-confidence; and develop the skills they need to be leaders, advocates, and champions in their everyday lives.

National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, an effort to raise awareness and improve understanding of birth defects of the head and face, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cleft and craniofacial conditions affect thousands of infants, children, teens, and adults in the United States each year. To learn more about these conditions, including treatment options and support networks in your area, contact these participating organizations.

Ways to get involved:

• Spread the word on your Facebook page, download the logo or icon, and make it your profile picture for this month.
• Donate funding for research and prevention efforts.

Minority Mental Health Month

July is Minority Mental Health Month. Just as with physical health, disparities exist for minority populations with mental health challenges as well. These disparities create greater risk for suffering and mental health problems and can make access to mental health care more difficult. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) takes this issue seriously: everyone deserves treatment for any mental health challenge they are experiencing, and successful treatment doesn’t look the same for everyone. This month, AFSP invites organizations and thought leaders with an interest in preventing suicide to join them in their efforts to increase support and care for people everywhere.

Ways to get involved:

• Share information and graphics on social media to increase awareness about minority mental health.
• Watch videos explaining the importance of minority mental health.
• Read firsthand accounts about how mental health affects minority populations.
• Take action by volunteering, joining a walk to fight suicide, donating, and more.