With concussion awareness week coming to a close, Alison Brown and other advocates of sport and recreation across the territory, are calling for continued open discussion to keep the conversation open to combat stigma.
“If we talk openly about concussions, that their brain injuries, people won’t feel pressure to keep playing or working after a hit. They should really look at changing attitudes so people feel safe about reporting symptoms and taking the time they need to recover,” Brown told True North FM.
Brown is the director of Sport, Recreation and Youth in the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.
“I think youth just need extra care, because sometimes they don’t realise s hit to the head is that bad, and for caregivers to just watch closely for changes behaviour in mood or school performance or anything that’s outside of normal and really support a gradual return to normal routine after they’ve had discussions with medical officials.”
Brown adds concussion are an issue that can affect everyone, which is why it’s important to be aware of symptoms and treatment, as well as the stigma around concussions.
Each year, the national initiative aims to raise awareness on how to prevent, identify, and manage concussions, especially in sports and recreation.
Concussion symptoms can present differently in different people, but common symptoms can include confusion, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or sound, mood changes and changes in behaviour.
The most important step is to stop the activity right away and seek medical attention, she explained.
“We really promote that seeking medical attention is the best way.”
According to Statistics Canada (2022), about 1 in 4 Canadians who reported a concussion were injured while participating in physical activity. Stats Canada also found that among youth aged 12 to 17, about 2 in 3 who were diagnosed with a concussion, sustained their concussion while playing sports like football, hockey, ringette, or skiing.
Prevention starts with awareness and taking precautions like wearing the right gear, said Brown.
“When you’re doing activities, and understanding creating safe environments for use teaching, proper techniques, encouraging fair play and making safety a priority. Not just within Sport and Rec, but your whole life. Schools, workplaces, the communities can help by sharing these resources and understanding,” said Brown.
“I think anybody could shrug it off as being shook up a little bit I think we’re just wanting people, regardless of who they are, how old they are, to really understand that concussion happen and that they are a brain injury and that they should be taken seriously and get medical attention,” she added.
Brown emphasized that youth tend to be more prone and more vulnerable to concussions.
“Concussions are very serious brain injuries that are caused by a hit to the neck or head or body that makes the brain move quickly inside a cell, it can happen anywhere, and we just want to really get some messaging across and get some awareness because prevention starts with wearing the right protective gear in activities like hockey or football, cycling as well as understanding how to treat concussions and work towards getting some of the stigma away,” said Brown.
“We would want to be talking openly about concussions to remove any stigma. It is a brain injury, it’s real, it’s serious and it really needs care and attention,” she added.
There are educational tools that coaches, parents, and the general public can use.
These include tools available through the Sport North Federation, which has resources for athletes and coaches, the Public Health Agency of Canada has guides for parents and Educators.
There is also a learning module provided through the Coaching Association of Canada called “Making Headway.”
Sport Information Resource Centre has research-based information to support Canada’s sport system, which includes the 4Rs Framework of “Recognize, Remove, Refer, and Return.” The 4Rs are used by coaches, health professionals and policymakers. The organization has a concussion hub with articles, posters, videos and learning modules
