We look forward to seeing the many projects our Youth Action Teams will complete this year! Below, we have provided a timeline of cause awareness months, weeks and days to help you plan timely and relevant projects and events related to prevention and health and wellness. 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. Mark your calendar now!
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
- MLK Day of Service (Jan. 19)
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. 2-6)
- Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb. 14-20)
- Random Acts of Kindness Day (Feb. 17)
- Mental Health Day at the Capitol (Feb. 18)
March
- National Nutrition Month
- Self Harm Awareness Month
- Women’s History Month
- Self-Injury Awareness Day (March 1)
- Substance Abuse Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol (March 5)
- International Women’s Day (March 8)
- National No Smoking Day (March 11)
- Patient Safety Awareness Week (March 8-14)
- National Sleep Awareness Week (March 8-14)
- World Sleep Day (March 13)
- National Poison Prevention Week (March 15-21)
- LGBTQ Health Awareness Week (March 16-20)
- Brain Awareness Week (March 16-22)
- National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (March 16-22)
- Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day at the Capitol (March 19)
Spring Season
- Prom (Varies)
- Spring Break (Varies)
April
- Alcohol Awareness Month
- National Minority Health Month
- National Volunteer Month
- Oral Cancer Awareness Month
- Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
- Stress Awareness Month
- Take Down Tobacco/Kick Butts Day (Apr. 1)
- National Public Health Week (Apr. 6-12)
- World Health Day (Apr. 7)
- Volunteer Week (Apr. 19-25)
- Global Youth Service Days (Apr. 24-26)
- DEA Take Back Day (Apr. 25)
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 3-9)
- National Prevention Week (May 10-16)
- National Women’s Health Week (May 10-16)
- Mental Health Awareness Week (May 11-17)
- World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
Summer Season
- Summer Break (Varies)
June
- LGBTQ+ Pride Month
- Men’s Health Month
- National Safety Month
- Family Health and Fitness Day (June 13)
- Men’s Health Week (June 15-21)
- Juneteenth (June 19)
July
- BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
- Disability Pride Month
- National Park and Recreation Month
- International Self-Care Day (July 24)
August
- Back-to-School Time (Varies)
- World Lung Cancer Day (Aug. 1)
- National Night Out (Aug. 5)
- International Youth Day (Aug. 12)
- National Nonprofit Day (Aug. 17)
- International Overdose Awareness Day (Aug. 31)
Fall Season
- Homecoming (Varies)
September
- National Literacy Month
- National Suicide Prevention Month
- National Recovery Month
- Healthy Aging Month
- Pain Awareness Month
- Baby Safety Month
- National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 6-12)
- 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. 4-10)
- National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 9)
- World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10)
- National Health Education Week (Oct. 20-24)
- Lights on Afterschool (Oct. 22)
- 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. 4)
- World Kindness Day (Nov. 13)
- Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13-19)
- Great American Smokeout (Nov. 19)
- International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (Nov. 21)
December
- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
- Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1)
- International Volunteer Day (Dec. 5)
If you have suggestions of additional dates to add to this list, please let us know by emailing Michael at michael@guideinc.org.