Concussions are the most common form of head injury and represent a significant burden of injury to Ontario (Public Health Ontario, 2023).
Any school staff or volunteer who suspects that a student has a concussion must advise them and the parents/guardian to seek immediate medical attention.
‘Research demonstrates that a concussion can have a significant impact on an individual – cognitively, physically, emotionally, and/or socially. Most individuals with a concussion improve in one to four weeks, but, for some, the healing process may take longer’ (PPM 158, 2019).
A concussion can cause long-term effects. Individuals may experience symptoms that last for months or even years. These symptoms can include headaches, neck pain, or vision problems. ‘Some individuals may even experience lasting changes in their brain that lead to issues such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or depression. It should also be noted that if an individual suffers a second concussion while they are still experiencing the symptoms from a first concussion injury (before they are free from symptoms sustained from the first concussion), this second injury can lead to “second impact syndrome”. “Second impact syndrome”, is a rare condition that causes rapid and severe brain swelling and often has catastrophic results’ (PPM 158, 2019).
The 2021 OSDUHS reports that over one-third of students, 38.2% have had a concussion in their lifetime, and 9.1%, about one in ten, report having a concussion in the past year.
Using the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School framework, schools, school boards, parents, and community partners can work together to develop a healthy school environment. This healthy school environment can promote and support students' well-being related to concussion prevention, identification, support if injured, and return to learning.
Resources & Information for:
Resources
- Parachute- Concussion: Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention brings concussion information, resources, programs, and links to support communities. Available in French.
- Check for Concussion: A brief public service announcement/video that stresses the need to seek medical help if you are asking an injured person if they are okay.
- Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports- Rowan’s Law: Concussion Awareness Resources: A collection of resources, many of which are reviewed annually by athletes, parents, coaches, team trainers, and officials. Key information that is provided includes emergencies, recognizing a concussion, and what to do if you suspect a concussion. The age-specific resources come as either an e-booklet, video, or an e-module. Available in French.
- Concussion Awareness Resource Video: Short videos for various age groups to learn about concussion prevention, getting help, and steps to return to play related to healing and symptoms.
- Public Health Ontario- Evidence Brief Interventions to Prevent Concussions: An updated 2021 document that focuses on Canadian actions related to concussion awareness, identification, post-concussion management, and guidelines.
- Holland Bloorview- Concussion education resources: Downloadable infographics (French) can enhance messaging around what concussions are, how to recover, and, myths/facts. These short, bright resources are easy-to-read for students. Available in many languages.
- Concussion Centre: This website and clinic offers education to support care specific to concussions and children.
Lessons and Activities
- Ophea- Learning About Concussions- Teacher Guide and Lesson: Two packages one created for grade 6 students and another for grade 9 students; these include a teacher guide, lesson, and an online student module. These resources follow a flipped classroom approach, which allows students to explore content at their own pace, acquire knowledge about concussions, and complete learning tasks to augment their classroom learning experience.
- Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County- STAR Program: Two available presentations adapted to educate students either in grades 7 and 8 OR grades 9 to 12. The acronym STAR reminds one to Stop activity, Tell an adult, get Assessed, and Rest after an injury to the head.
- Ophea Healthy Schools Certification: Gives your school the tools to promote and enhance the health and well-being of students, school staff, and the broader school community. Contact your school nurse at 519-258-2146 x 1555 for more information on how they can support your school in achieving a Healthy Schools Certification.
- Ophea- Concussion Identification, Management, and Prevention for Schools 2022/23 e-Learning module: This module for educators, administrators, and support staff includes strategies and resources to assist in the education of concussion prevention.
- Parachute- Brain Waves: This program is looking for coordinators/volunteers to deliver it to classrooms or community programs. Brain Waves is a free, informative, and fun half-day neuroscience presentation for students in grades 4 to 6.
- Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT): Provides online education modules and resources for concussion recognition, diagnosis, treatment, and management. It supports physicians and licensed healthcare professionals by providing access to standardized tools to evaluate concussions in both children and adults. There is a section dedicated to School Professionals with an information package and an e-learning course.
- Student council or student wellness council can actively participate in identifying school needs and activities to address those needs.
- School Mental Health Ontario- Inspirational outdoor graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or schoolyard to create messages that support messages around Rowan’s Law Day. Available in French.
- Ophea- Rowan’s Law Day Toolkit for Schools: This kit helps schools and classrooms recognize Rowan’s Law Day and encourages students to speak up about concussions.
- Concussion Awareness Week: This is an annual national-themed event to direct key messages and increase access to important resources with a new Toolkit released annually. The toolkit contains social media guides, key messages, and examples of newsletter/E-blasts.
School Campaigns and Social Media
- Ophea- Social Media Post Ideas for Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!: Provided are sample posts to support Rowans Law Day these are available and align with key messages.
- School Wellness Bulletin Board - Use the school bulletin board to post-concussion messages around key dates:
- Rowan’s Law Day: Help spread the word on concussion safety on the last Wednesday in September.
- Canadian Concussion Network- Concussion Awareness Week: Established in 2021 to encourage action across Canada. Concussion Awareness Week is for everyone with a role in healthy active living. Available in French.
- PPM 158 School Board Policies on Concussion: This memorandum addresses concussion safety across all school and school board activities and applies to all publicly funded elementary and secondary schools. It does not apply to licensed child-care providers, including those operating on the premises of publicly funded schools. New in 2021 is that sports organizations must put into place Removal-from-Sport and Return-to-Sport protocols, to improve concussion safety. Reviewed are the minimum components required for school boards to include in a policy on concussions.
- SchoolFirst: Supports Canadian youth and their return to school following a concussion. Information for school staff and students about building knowledge, creating a supportive culture, and knowing your role as a concussion champion.
Support in the Community
- Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program: A community-based service for individuals who have sustained a brain injury. The program is made up of professionals who specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing difficulties recovering. Support from the ABI healthcare team may include many specialists.
- Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County: A local registered charity that exists for the needs of families and survivors of brain injury. They offer awareness, education, support, and empowerment.
- Helmets for Kids: This program provides support from trained volunteers, helmet fitting and helmets, and bicycle safety information to students.
Additional Resources and Support
- Health811: Receive health advice from a registered nurse by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or visiting their website page. Previously known as Health Connect Ontario. Available in French.
- Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT)- Your Role As A Parent in Your Child’s Recovery: Provides parents with details on how to support recovery.
- Parachute- Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers: Answers to questions to help parents understand and support their child after a concussion.
- Smart Hockey – Provides information and resources for those who support hockey to keep players safe. It focuses on how to help prevent, recognize, and manage concussions.
- Government of Ontario- Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes & Parents/Guardians: A provincial sample code that builds an understanding around prevention points and a commitment to take a concussion seriously, to not hide any symptoms, and to take the needed time to recover are a few of the issues covered. Sports teams will present something similar for parents and athletes to sign, which becomes their version of the code.
- Concussions Ontario: Provides information about concussion care in Ontario for Patients and Families, Healthcare Professionals, and Service Providers.
- Stop Concussions Foundation- Mental Health and Concussions: Lists available supports in Canada for individuals who have continued symptoms after a concussion. Post-concussed individuals who experience mental health symptoms such as depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and substance use should seek treatment.
Support in the Community
- Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program: A community-based service for individuals who have sustained a brain injury. The program is made up of professionals who specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing difficulties recovering. Support from the ABI healthcare team may include many specialists.
- Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County: A local registered charity that exists for the needs of families and survivors of brain injury. They offer awareness, education, support, and empowerment.
- Helmets for Kids: This program provides support from trained volunteers, helmet fitting and helmets, and bicycle safety information to students.
Additional Resources and Support
- Health811: Receive health advice from a registered nurse by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or visiting their website page. Previously known as Health Connect Ontario. Available in French.
- Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT)- Your Role As A Parent in Your Child’s Recovery: Provides parents with details on how to support recovery.
- Parachute- Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers: Answers to questions to help parents understand and support their child after a concussion.
- Smart Hockey – Provides information and resources for those who support hockey to keep players safe. It focuses on how to help prevent, recognize, and manage concussions.
- Government of Ontario- Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes & Parents/Guardians: A provincial sample code that builds an understanding around prevention points and a commitment to take a concussion seriously, to not hide any symptoms, and to take the needed time to recover are a few of the issues covered. Sports teams will present something similar for parents and athletes to sign, which becomes their version of the code.
- Concussions Ontario: Provides information about concussion care in Ontario for Patients and Families, Healthcare Professionals, and Service Providers.
- Stop Concussions Foundation- Mental Health and Concussions: Lists available supports in Canada for individuals who have continued symptoms after a concussion. Post-concussed individuals who experience mental health symptoms such as depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and substance use should seek treatment.
- Student council or student wellness council can actively participate in identifying school needs and activities to address those needs.
- School Mental Health Ontario- Inspirational outdoor graffiti: Use sidewalk chalk in front of the school or schoolyard to create messages that support messages around Rowan’s Law Day. Available in French.
- Ophea- Rowan’s Law Day Toolkit for Schools: This kit helps schools and classrooms recognize Rowan’s Law Day and encourages students to speak up about concussions.
- Concussion Awareness Week: This is an annual national-themed event to direct key messages and increase access to important resources with a new Toolkit released annually. The toolkit contains social media guides, key messages, and examples of newsletter/E-blasts.
School Campaigns and Social Media
- Ophea- Social Media Post Ideas for Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook!: Provided are sample posts to support Rowans Law Day these are available and align with key messages.
- School Wellness Bulletin Board - Use the school bulletin board to post-concussion messages around key dates:
- Rowan’s Law Day: Help spread the word on concussion safety on the last Wednesday in September.
- Canadian Concussion Network- Concussion Awareness Week: Established in 2021 to encourage action across Canada. Concussion Awareness Week is for everyone with a role in healthy active living. Available in French.
Support in the Community
- Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program: A community-based service for individuals who have sustained a brain injury. The program is made up of professionals who specialize in working with individuals who are experiencing difficulties recovering. Support from the ABI healthcare team may include many specialists.
- Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County: A local registered charity that exists for the needs of families and survivors of brain injury. They offer awareness, education, support, and empowerment.
- Helmets for Kids: This program provides support from trained volunteers, helmet fitting and helmets, and bicycle safety information to students.
Additional Resources and Support
- Health811: Receive health advice from a registered nurse by calling 811 (TTY: 1-866-797-0007) or visiting their website page. Previously known as Health Connect Ontario. Available in French.
- Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT)- Your Role As A Parent in Your Child’s Recovery: Provides parents with details on how to support recovery.
- Parachute- Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers: Answers to questions to help parents understand and support their child after a concussion.
- Smart Hockey – Provides information and resources for those who support hockey to keep players safe. It focuses on how to help prevent, recognize, and manage concussions.
- Government of Ontario- Sample Concussion Code of Conduct for Athletes & Parents/Guardians: A provincial sample code that builds an understanding around prevention points and a commitment to take a concussion seriously, to not hide any symptoms, and to take the needed time to recover are a few of the issues covered. Sports teams will present something similar for parents and athletes to sign, which becomes their version of the code.
- Concussions Ontario: Provides information about concussion care in Ontario for Patients and Families, Healthcare Professionals, and Service Providers.
- Stop Concussions Foundation- Mental Health and Concussions: Lists available supports in Canada for individuals who have continued symptoms after a concussion. Post-concussed individuals who experience mental health symptoms such as depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and substance use should seek treatment.