International Overdose Awareness Day falls on 31st August each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma surrounding drug-related deaths. This day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the grief of friends and family who have had a loved one die or suffer permanent injury from a drug overdose.

“In 2016, Australia recorded 1,808 drug-induced deaths , the highest number in 20 years. “

International Overdose Awareness Day is also a chance to encourage discussion about evidence-based overdose prevention and drug policy, and spread the message that drug overdose is preventable. One of the goals of hosting this day includes educating the community about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose and provide information on the support services available.

Get involved this August by:

• Making a donation
• Hosting an activity
• Posting a tribute
• Spreading awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://www.overdoseday.com/

Daffodil Day Appeal falls on Friday 28th August this year, assisting the Cancer Council to conduct life-saving cancer research. This day offers an opportunity for everyone to come together and offer support for all Australians diagnosed with cancer.

145,000 Australians are diagnosed with cancer each year.

Daffodil Day is an appeal to working towards a cancer-free future through scientific research and effective preventative measures such as cancer screening. The funds raised through Daffodil Day also assists those affected by cancer by providing access to Cancer Council’s support services.

Get involved this August by:

• Donating online
• Volunteering
• Spreading awareness on social media

For more information, visit:
https://www.daffodilday.com.au/event/daffodil-day/home
https://www.cancer.org.au/get-involved/events/daffodil-day/

This year, Speech Pathology Week is running from 23-29 August, with the theme ‘communicating with confidence’. One key focus of this week is to promote speech pathology and recognise the impact speech pathology has on those Australians experiencing a communication disability affecting their daily lives.

“1.2 million Australians live with communication disability.”

Speech Pathology Week also highlights the importance of communication (which includes more than just speech) and seeks to educate the broader community about communication disabilities which are largely ‘invisible’. Speech Pathology Australia aims to empower individuals to be more confident in their communication and help maximise educational, health and social outcomes.

Get involved this August by:

• Raising awareness of communication disabilities on social media
• Educating yourself on ways to successfully communicate
• Sharing successful communication tips with friends and family

For more information, visit:
https://www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/

August is Tradies National Health Month, and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is raising awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations—among individuals, their families, employers and the wider community.

“Aussie tradies make up 30 per cent of the Australian workforce, yet they account for a staggering 56 per cent in serious claims for worker’s compensation.”

While there have been improvements, Australia’s trade industry continues to have among the highest health and safety issues of any sector. Time off work due to poor health and injury has a significant impact on families, businesses and communities. This impact will grow if steps are not taken to change behaviour. Anyone can get behind Tradies National Health Month.

Get involved this August by:

• Spreading awareness on social media
• Raising awareness about safety at work
• Visiting www.tradieshealth.com.au for more ways to make a difference

For more information, visit:
https://choose.physio/tradieshealth/getinvolved

Red Nose aims to reduce the number of unexpected deaths of children. Their mission is to continue research into causes and prevention of infant and child death, deliver safe sleep and safe pregnancy education to Australian parents and carers, and ensure free bereavement support is accessible following the death of a baby or child.

“In Australia, nine children die suddenly and unexpectedly every day.”

Use Friday 14th August as an opportunity to “get silly for a serious cause” and participate in Red Nose Day.

Ways to get involved include:

• Fundraising online or offline
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Making a donation

For more information, visit:
https://rednoseday.org.au/

Red Nose Grief & Loss 24/7 Support Line 1300 308 307

MS Readathon is a reading based fundraising program open to participants of ALL ages. Read through the month of August, get sponsored and make a difference! All funds raised go towards support and services provided for people living with MS, their families and carers while the search for a cure continues.       

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

“Approximately one in 3,000 Australians are affected by the disorder of multiple sclerosis.”

Get involved this August by:

• Being a part of the reading fundraiser
• Volunteering
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: https://msreadathon.org.au/

This year, Jeans for Genes Day is 7th August across Australia and provides an opportunity to support the Children’s Medical Research Institute to help find cures for genetic diseases affecting children. Genetic diseases are serious conditions caused, at least partly, by changes in DNA. They can be inherited or happen unexpectedly due to chance occurrences.

“1 in 20 kids face a birth defect or genetic disease, and 30% of children’s hospital admissions are due to genetic disorders.”

Many of these genetic diseases are poorly understood and have no specific treatments or cures. Supporting Jeans for Genes Day allows the Children’s Medical Research Institute to continue their research into treatments and cures.

Get involved this August by:

• Making a donation
• Volunteering with the organisation
• Spreading awareness of Jeans for Genes Day

For more information, visit:
https://www.jeansforgenes.org.au/get-involved/events/jeans-for-genes-day

The 2020 Homelessness Week theme is ‘Everybody needs a home’, aiming to highlight the importance of having a home to stay healthy and well in following the devastating impacts of the bush fires and COVID-19 pandemic. Advocacy and activism for those who have lost their homes is a focus this year, along with the ongoing ‘Everybody’s Home Campaign’.

“On any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are homeless.”

Homelessness Australia provides information sheets and resources to support events all around Australia. This is an important opportunity to recognise the prevalent homelessness issue within the Australian community.

To get involved this August:

• Raise awareness on social media
• Inform the community by spreading information sheets
• Organise a fundraiser

For more information, visit: https://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/

The Australian Dental Association Dental Health Week aim to educate Australians about the importance of maintaining good oral health by promoting messages about dental care. The 2020 campaign focuses on the harm sugar does to oral health, aiming to help Australians to ‘get sugar savvy’ by considering ‘How much sugar is hiding is your trolley?’.

73% of young people and 47% of adults are consuming too much sugar.

Get involved this August by:

• Maintaining good oral care
• Visiting your dentist if needed
• Raising awareness on social media
• Informing the community

For more information, visit:
https://www.ada.org.au/Dental-Health-Week/Home

World Breastfeeding Week, 1st-7th August, is an initiative which aims to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as the best way to provide newborns with the nutrients they need.

“Breastfeeding is not only the cornerstone of a child’s healthy development; it is also the foundation of a country’s development.”

The 2020 campaign aims to highlight impacts of infant feeding on the environment and how important promoting and supporting breastfeeding is for the health of individuals and the planet.

Get involved this August by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Educating the community
• Organising a fundraiser
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit: http://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/