Use these graphics on your social media platforms in support of other October themes and observances.

Eye Injury Prevention Month

Suggested social media message: DYK? Each year thousands of service members injure their eyes. Eye injuries can adversely affect performance and operational readiness. DOD recommends using proper eye protection to help prevent injuries. Learn more at VCE: https://vce.health.mil/Eye-Injury-Prevention-and-Response Eye Injury Prevention and Response website

Halloween Safety Month

Suggested social media message: Make sure to drive carefully and beware of the ghouls walking along the neighborhood streets. Trick-or-treaters can make it easier for drivers to spot them by wearing reflective costumes. Parents should check their children’s candies to ensure a safe and Happy Halloween. 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Suggested social media message: You deserve to feel safe in your relationship. If your partner’s behavior is putting you at risk, you have options. Learn about healthy relationships and how the Family Advocacy Program can help: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/preventing-abuse-neglect/family-advocacy-program-the-essentials/Military One Source webpage #DVAM #UnitedAgainstDA #BreaktheSilence

National Bullying Prevention Month

Suggested social media message: The signs of bullying are there if you know what to look for. Whether your child is being bullied or is the bully, it’s possible to break the cycle. Find resources for military families at Military OneSource: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-youth-and-teens/how-to-identify-and-address-bullying-behavior/Military One Source webpage #StopBullying #Bullying

American Pharmacist Month

Suggested social media message: We recognize and thank the tireless work of pharmacists throughout the #MHS for supporting the #Warfighter and ensuring a medically ready force. #AmericanPharmacistMonth 

Emotional Wellness Month

Suggested social media message: We all sometimes feel stressed out, but you don’t need to hold onto that excess baggage. Take stock of your emotional wellness. Learn how to be more self-aware of your emotions without feeling guilty or ashamed: https://www.health.mil/News/In-the-Spotlight/Mental-Health-is-Health-Care 

National Physical Therapy Month

Suggested social media message: A licensed physical therapist can help you recover from an illness, injury, or surgery. They can design an exercise program that can help you recover and stay medically fit and mission ready. Visit TRICARE for information about covered services: https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/PhysicalTherapy #PhysicalTherapy

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month

Suggested social media message: Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping. If a person is experiencing a #CardiacArrest, call 9-1-1, provide CPR, and use an AED. Learn more: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/cardiac-arrest 

Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 2-8)

Suggested social media message: If you’re struggling with mental illness, don’t ignore the problem; make sure to seek help. You are not alone. All military health beneficiaries have access to mental health resources: https://www.health.mil/News/In-the-Spotlight/Mental-Health-is-Health-Care #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek

National Depression Screening Day (October 6)

Suggested social media message: If you are unsure whether you or a loved one is suffering from depression, there are resources and tools available to military families to get screened.  #NationalDepressionScreeningDay Learn more at TRICARE: https://www.tricare.mil/mentalhealth

World Smile Day (October 7)

Suggested social media message: Let’s turn that frown upside down and show off your pearly whites. A smile can brighten anyone’s day. #WorldSmileDay 😊 

World Mental Health Day (October 10)

Suggested social media message: Every day is a great day to take care of your mental health. Make sure you do something for your mental health today. If you’re looking for resources or help, visit: www.health.mil/HereForYou. #WorldMentalHealthDay 

Bone and Joint Health Action Week (October 11-17)

Suggested social media message: DYK? The bones, ligaments and joints make up the critical components of your musculoskeletal anatomy? Learn how you can optimize your military fitness and prevent injuries: https://www.hprc-online.org/physical-fitness/injury-prevention/understand-basic-musculoskeletal-anatomy-optimize-military  #PreventInjury

U.S. Navy Birthday (October 13)

Suggested social media message: Happy Birthday Navy. We recognize and honor your contributions and sacrifices to our great nation. @USNavy

Breast Cancer Awareness (October 13)

Suggested social media message: According to the CDC, about 255,000 women get breast cancer and 42,000 women die from the disease each year. Learn about risks, symptoms, screenings, and diagnosis here: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/resources/features/breastcancerawareness/  #BreastCancerAwareness

National Health Care Quality Week (October 16-22)

Suggested social media message: The #MHS has no higher priority than providing safe and quality care to our patients. We are committed to learning and improving our system to provide better care to our nation’s heroes. Learn more about our clinical quality program at www.health.mil/CQM.  #NationalHealthcareQualityWeek

National Pharmacy Technician Day (October 18)

Suggested social media message: Pharmacy technicians are a vital part of the pharmacy system that makes sure you get the medications you need. A big thanks to all our pharmacy technicians throughout the MHS. #PharmacyTechDay 

National Mammography Day (October 21)

Suggested social media message: DYK? Regular mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt in a self-exam.
Talk to your primary care provider to schedule a #mammogram. Visit TRICARE to learn more about covered services: https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/Mammograms 
#NationalMammographyDay

National Check Your Meds Day (October 21)

Suggested social media message: Help prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction from starting by taking stock of your meds. Look in your medicine cabinet (or wherever you keep your meds) and dispose of expired or any unneeded medications. #NationalCheckYourMedsDay Find disposal information at: https://takebackday.dea.gov/ 

Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31)

Suggested social media message: Some service members may turn to substance misuse to cope with life hardships. If someone you know is struggling with substance misuse, there are options for treatment and intervention. Visit TRICARE for treatment options: https://tricare.mil/sud

National Day of the Deployed (October 26)

Suggested social media message: Deployments can be hard on families, but our national security depends on it. Thank you to everyone who deploys and the families they leave behind. #NationalDayoftheDeployed

World Stroke Day (October 29)

Suggested social media message: Heart disease is responsible for about 600,000 deaths in the United States every year – that’s 1 in every 4 deaths. You can improve your readiness and mission performance by lowering risk factors for heart disease. #WorldStrokeDay

Halloween (October 31)

Suggested social media message: You can enjoy eating your favorite candy this #Halloween but remember to brush your teeth to keep the "cavity monster" at bay. Your dental health keeps you mission ready and deployable. Happy Halloween!

National Audiology Awareness Month

October is National Audiology Awareness Month.  According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, more than 36 million American adults have some degree of hearing loss and over half of them are younger than age 65.  In response, this annual observance is held to increase awareness of hearing as a critical sense and the role audiologists play in caring for patients. It also focuses on preventing hearing loss and why hearing health is a vital element of life and well-being. The national event is promoted using the hashtag #AudiologyAwarenessMonth. For more hearing health information, visit https://hearing.health.mil

Key Messages: 

• Service members are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss from brief exposure to impulsive noise like blasts or weapons fire, or continuous noise over time like engines and machinery.  Hearing protection worn during weapons fire and other activities can prevent hearing loss damage and tinnitus (ringing, buzzing or other sounds in the head or ears). For more about hearing protection visit:  https://hearing.health.mil/Prevention/Hearing-Protection-Devices 
• Hearing loss is invisible and not noticeable to the individual in the early stages. Annual hearing checks will help you maintain your hearing health. Service members can also prevent hearing loss by wearing protective gear like ear plugs, noise muffs, noise-attenuating helmets and other approved devices.
• Check with your Hearing Conservation Program or military treatment facility about which protective device is best for your job and environment:  https://hearing.health.mil/Prevention/Evaluated-Hearing-Protection-Devices // https://hearing.health.mil/Prevention/Hearing-Protection-Devices  
• According to the @VeteransBenefits, noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus continue to be among the most prevalent service-connected disabilities experienced by veterans. Take time to see an audiologist, who can help you monitor your hearing and provide strategies and hearing protection that will protect against noise-induced hearing loss.  For more hearing health facts, visit: https://hearing.health.mil 

Graphics & Social Content

Suggested social media message: People at every stage of life—from young to older adults—are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing loss can impact not only your readiness but the quality of life. National Audiology Awareness Month reminds us how important hearing is as a critical sense and explains how to protect your hearing.  Regular hearing checkups are important actions you can take to ensure your hearing is healthy.  For more information, visit:  https://www.tricare.mil/CoveredServices/IsItCovered/HearingExams.aspx?sc_database=web https://hearing.health.mil #AudiologyAwarenessMonth

Suggested social media message: #DYK? Audiologists are health care professionals who can help prevent, evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage hearing loss and balance disorders. To find an audiologist, visit: https://hearing.health.mil/Resources/Help-and-Support/Find-a-Provider #AudiologyAwarenessMonth

Suggested social media message: Service members can prevent hearing loss by wearing protective gear like earplugs, noise muffs, noise-attenuating helmets and other approved devices. Check with your Hearing Conservation Program or audiologist about which protective device is best for your job and environment.  For more about HPDs visit: https://hearing.health.mil/Prevention/Hearing-Protection-Devices https://hearing.health.mil/Prevention/Evaluated-Hearing-Protection-Devices #AudiologyAwarenessMonth