As we dive into 2024, we look forward to seeing the many projects our Youth Action Teams will complete this year! Below, we have provided a timeline of prevention-related cause awareness months, weeks and days to help you plan timely and relevant projects and events. These days are important because they provide dedicated opportunities to spread awareness and show support for causes we care about. Planning projects and events around these dates encourage others who are invested in these causes to participate.
Please know that this is not a comprehensive list but should be viewed as a starting point. Some of these projected dates are based on when they occurred in previous years and will be updated if changes are made as the year progresses.
January
- Mental Wellness Month
- National Birth Defects Awareness Month
- National Mentoring Month
- Dry January
- Mental Health Day at the Capitol (Jan. 24)
February
- American Heart Month
- Black History Month
- National Cancer Prevention Month
- Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
- World Cancer Day (Feb. 4)
- National School Counseling Week (Feb. 5-9)
- Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 11-17)
- Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17)
- Substance Abuse Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol (Feb. 29)
March
- National Nutrition Month
- Self Harm Awareness Month
- Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1)
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- National No Smoking Day (March 13)
- Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 10-16)
- National Sleep Awareness Week (March 10-16)
- World Sleep Day (March 15)
- Brain Awareness Week (March 11-17)
- National Poison Prevention Week (March 17-23)
- National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (March 18-24)
- LGBTQ Health Awareness Week (March 20-24)
- Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol (March 21)
Spring Season
- Prom (Varies)
- Spring Break (Varies)
April
- Alcohol Awareness Month
- National Minority Health Month
- Oral Cancer Awareness Month
- Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
- Stress Awareness Month
- Take Down Tobacco/Kick Butts Day (April 1)
- National Public Health Week (April 1-7)
- World Health Day (April 7)
- Volunteer Week (April 14-20)
- Global Youth Service Days (April 26-28)
- DEA Take Back Day (TBD)
May
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Women’s Health Month
- Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
- National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 5-11)
- National Prevention Week (May 12-18)
- National Women’s Health Week (May 12-18)
- Mental Health Awareness Week (May 13-19)
- World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
Summer Season
- Summer Break (Varies)
June
- Men’s Health Month
- National Safety Month
- Family Health and Fitness Day (June 8)
- Men’s Health Week (June 10-16)
July
- National Park and Recreation Month
- BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
- Disability Pride Month
- International Self-Care Day (July 24)
August
- Back-to-School Time (Varies)
- World Lung Cancer Day (Aug. 1)
- National Night Out (Aug. 6)
- International Youth Day (Aug. 12)
- National Nonprofit Day (Aug. 17)
- International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31)
Fall Season
- Homecoming (Varies)
September
- National Suicide Prevention Month
- National Recovery Month
- Healthy Aging Month
- Pain Awareness Month
- Baby Safety Month
- National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 8-14)
- World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10)
- World Heart Day (Sept. 29)
- Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15)
October
- National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month
- Substance Misuse Prevention Month
- Health Literacy Month
- Healthy Lung Month
- National Bullying Prevention Month
- National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
- Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 6-12)
- National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 5)
- World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10)
- National Health Education Week (Oct. 21-25)
- Lights on Afterschool (Oct. 24)
- Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31)
- DEA Take Back Day (TBD)
Winter Season
- Winter Break & Holiday Celebrations (Varies)
November
- Native American Heritage Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- American Diabetes Month
- Prematurity Awareness Month
- International Stress Awareness Day (Nov. 1)
- World Kindness Day (Nov. 13)
- Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19)
- Great American Smokeout (Nov. 21)
- International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Nov. 23)
December
- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
- Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3)
If you have suggestions of additional dates to add to this list, please let us know by emailing Michael at michael@guideinc.org.