Concussion Awareness Week is being recognized across Canada this year from September 21 to 27, 2025. This national initiative aims to raise awareness on how to prevent, identify, and manage concussions, particularly in sports, recreation, and everyday life.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is encouraging residents, schools, coaches, teams, and workplaces across the Northwest Territories (NWT) to take part in this important week. Concussion awareness starts with you. Here is how you can get involved:

Promote awareness in your community
Help spread the word! Use the hashtags #ConcussionEd and #HeadstrongCanada on social media. Share your story, post helpful resources, or talk to others about concussion safety.

Know the signs and act fast
Concussion symptoms can include confusion, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, sensitivity to light or sound, or mood changes. If someone takes a hit to the head, neck, or body and shows any of these signs, stop the activity and seek medical help right away. They should only return when cleared by a healthcare provider.

Support youth and students
Kids and teens are especially vulnerable, and their symptoms may be harder to recognize. If you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver, talk openly with young people about concussions. Pay close attention to any changes in their behaviour and support their recovery both at home and in school.

Coach with care
If you are a coach or trainer, you are often the first to notice when something is wrong. Make sure you are ready by completing the free NCCP Making Head Way e-learning module. It covers sport-specific examples, legal responsibilities, and return-to-play guidelines. Take the course here: https://coach.ca/module/nccp-making-head-way-sport

Get involved at schools, workplaces and teams
Host a concussion info session. Share posters or handouts. Start a conversation at your local school, recreation centre, team practice, or workplace. A little education goes a long way in building safer communities.

Why it matters
Concussions are a serious public health issue that can affect anyone, no matter their age, lifestyle, or level of physical activity. In the NWT, many individuals and families have felt the lasting impact of concussions, particularly among youth who are active in sports and recreation. According to Statistics Canada, in 2022:

• About 1 in 4 Canadians (24%), in general, who reported a concussion were injured while participating in physical activity.
• Among youth aged 12 to 17, nearly 2 in 3 (63%) sustained their concussion while playing sports like football, hockey, ringette, or skiing.

A concussion is a form of brain injury caused by a hit to the head, neck, or body that makes the brain move rapidly within the skull. Common symptoms include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, memory problems, and changes in mood or sleep patterns.

If not identified and managed properly, a concussion can result in prolonged recovery – or even permanent damage. That is why early recognition, proper care, and ongoing education are critical to protecting the health and safety of all NWT residents.

Additional information and resources:

Sport North Federation: As the recognized sport governing body in the Northwest Territories, Sport North Federation promotes safe participation in sport and physical activity. They offer tailored resources on concussion prevention, identification, and recovery for athletes, coaches, parents, and organizations, including educational materials and workshops. For more information, contact Spider Jones: spider@sportnorth.com

Government of Canada: The Public Health Agency of Canada offers reliable information on concussion prevention, recognition, and response, including guides for parents and educators and protocols for returning to school and sports. To learn more, visit canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/concussion-sign-symptoms.html

Parachute Canada: Parachute is Canada’s charity focused on preventing serious injuries. Their Concussion Hub provides resources for athletes, caregivers, and coaches, such as checklists, infographics, and recovery guides, while advocating for helmet safety and injury surveillance. Follow them on social media and visit www.parachute.ca/concussion.

Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC): SIRC, partly funded by the Government of Canada, provides research-based information to support Canada’s sport system. Their concussion resources include the 4Rs Framework – Recognize, Remove, Refer, and Return – used by coaches, health professionals, and policymakers. The concussion hub offers articles, posters, videos, and learning modules to boost community knowledge. Visit sirc.ca/concussion for more information.

For media requests, please contact:
Peter Tah
Senior Communications and Planning Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Peter_Tah@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9162 ext. 21012