Awareness in October
Many people think October is simply being the month of Halloween. Maybe it’s your birth month, or maybe it’s the birth month of a loved one. However, October is so much more than that, and there are countless things being celebrated or brought to the attention of many people. Here are some things that October is known for, and what you should know about them.
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: October is—and has been—the awareness month for this insanely relevant topic since 1989. October is used to advocate for victims, raise awareness, and support survivors. Every year, October brings people together to share, grieve, and help heal the people who have had the misfortune of living through this. It encourages people to be better and uplift the voices of those trying to speak out, if nothing else, to help victims feel a little less alone. It is also used to mourn and honor those who couldn't make it out and lost their lives to domestic violence, all the while celebrating those who did.
LGBTQ History Month: This month is also used to learn about, honor, and reflect on the contributions made by the LGBTQ+ community. It allows for people to research, have conversations, and better understand what had to happen to be able to get where we are today. It is also used to reflect on how much has been improved and how much there still needs to be done. The struggle for equality and acceptance has been going on for a very long time, and this month is used to change perspectives and honor all the people that have fought for these basic rights. Although this community is often disregarded and underappreciated, October allows for people to take a minute to fight against this erasure and empower future generations.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Breast Cancer is one of the most common diseases for women, with statistics at the American Cancer Society saying that it affects 1 in 8 women. This month reminds people to be proactive about fighting this and remind people to support victims of this disease. It spreads awareness and reminds them that this is unfortunately very common and that they should be careful. There are news and reminders consistently put out about mammograms, and countless self-examinations to stay on the safe side. Although death rates are low, they are not zero, and this early reminder can be the reason for the survival of many people. This is why it is important to take a second during October to honor those who pass, and make sure that it happens as little as possible.
National Arts and Humanity Month: Although it is often forgotten, October is also National Arts and Humanity Month, which allows people to take a moment and reflect on the fascinating cultures all around us. NAHM is actually the largest annual celebration of the arts and humanities in the U.S. This month allows people to reflect on the effects of the arts and humanities in our communities and our lives. It allows artists to promote their work and people to promote and show off their cultures, customs, and traditions.
Global Diversity Awareness Month: October reminds us of the importance of a varied country that celebrates different cultures, ideas, mentalities, and so much more. It allows for people to open up and for people to come together, and it allows for people to ask questions and learn. There are some people that host parties or potlucks to get to know neighbors and coworkers; others create art visuals and present them to large groups of people, explaining their culture, and it offers people the opportunity to share stories. And these are just some of the ways in which this is celebrated.
Emotional Wellness Month: Although this one isn’t quite talked about as much, October also holds the title of Emotional Wellness Month. It makes people take a second to check in with themselves with stress levels and mental and emotional health. It also provides resources and information to help people do just that. Things like platonic or romantic relationships, financial issues, physical issues, or maybe even simply too much screen time can affect our mood and stress level. This month invites us to check in with ourselves.
Although they are not as well known as Halloween, all of these really are incredibly important. Not just for the people whom it affects, but everyone who wishes to learn and become a little less ignorant of the issues that other people have to go through. Whether someone helps to bring awareness to breast cancer and its effects, domestic violence, or even just emotional wellness, this month serves to guide people into helping others and making this world a bit of a better place than it was before.
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