As we dive into 2023, 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
- National Birth Defects Awareness Month
- National Mentoring Month
- Dry January
- Mental Health Day at the Capitol (Jan. 31)
February
- American Heart Month
- National Cancer Prevention Month
- Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
- World Cancer Day (Feb. 4)
- National School Counseling Week (Feb. 6-10)
- Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 14-20)
- Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17)
- Substance Abuse Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol (Feb. 23)
March
- National Nutrition Month
- Self Harm Awareness Month
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- National No Smoking Day (March 9)
- Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 12-18)
- National Sleep Awareness Week (March 12-18)
- World Sleep Day (March 17)
- Brain Awareness Week (March 13-19)
- National Poison Prevention Week (March 19-25)
- National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (March 20-26)
- Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol (March 23)
- Take Down Tobacco/Kick Butts Day (March 31)
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
- National Public Health Week (April 3-9)
- National Alcohol Screening Day (April 6)
- World Health Day (April 7)
- Global Youth Service Days (April 28-30)
- DEA Take Back Day (TBD)
May
- Mental Health Month
- Women’s Health Month
- National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week (May 7-13)
- National Prevention Week (May 7-13)
- Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9-15)
- National Women’s Health Week (May 14-20)
- National Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Awareness Week (TBD)
- 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 10)
- Men’s Health Week (June 12-18)
July
- National Park and Recreation Month
- BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
- International Self-Care Day (July 24)
August
- Back-to-School Time (Varies)
- World Lung Cancer Day (Aug. 1)
- National Night Out (Aug. 1)
- International Youth Day (Aug. 12)
- National Nonprofit Day (Aug. 17)
- International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31)
Fall Season
- Homecoming (Varies)
September
- Healthy Aging Month
- National Recovery Month
- Pain Awareness Month
- Baby Safety Month
- National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 10-16)
- World Suicide Prevention Day (Sept. 10)
- World Heart Day (Sept. 29)
October
- National Substance Abuse Prevention Month
- Health Literacy Month
- Healthy Lung Month
- National Bullying Prevention Month
- National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
- Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 1-7)
- National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 5)
- World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10)
- National Health Education Week (Oct. 16-20)
- Lights on Afterschool (Oct. 26)
- Red Ribbon Week (Oct. 23-31)
- DEA Take Back Day (TBD)
Winter Season
- Winter Break & Holiday Celebrations (Varies)
November
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- American Diabetes Month
- Prematurity Awareness Month
- World Kindness Day (Nov. 13)
- Great American Smokeout (Nov. 16)
- International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Nov. 18)
- Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28)
December
- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
If you have suggestions of additional dates to add to this list, please let us know by emailing Michael at michael@guideinc.org.