Concussion has been a hot topic in the media for some time now. As I’m sure many of you have noticed, the incidence of concussions seems to be on the rise every year. My district had over 400 concussions documented last school year alone, and with statistics showing that many concussions are still under-diagnosed and under-reported, that value is likely a low reflection of the numbers. Concussions present a unique challenge in the school setting, particularly when protracted symptoms are seen due to inadequate brain rest or improper treatment follow-up.
I am excited to share with you this summer the steps that my district has taken to support students with concussion, not only in the way we return students to physical activity, but also in how we help them return to learning. Through our efforts, we hope to decrease the likelihood of long term complications after a concussion, including negative emotional consequences such as anxiety and depression.
Feel free to check out these resources, which I think give a quick snapshot of why this topic is worthy of our time. The Brain Injury Resource Institute has a page with some facts and statistics that highlight the prevalence of this injury. The CDC Heads Up Campaign has developed outstanding information and resources that can be utilized by the school nurse. I will very likely be bringing them up during our presentation this summer. I look forward to sharing more information with you leading up to and at the NASN Conference this summer.