June is the month when summer officially kicks in. If you’re planning employee communications, we’ve compiled a list of June events with links to helpful resources from event sponsors or topic experts. Some links include tool kits and social media messages that will save you time. Here’s our pick of key June dates & events that you may want to promote to your employees.
Great Outdoors Month
Americans across the country jump-start the summer during June, which is designated as Great Outdoors Month, a month-long celebration of outdoor recreation on local, state and federal lands and waters. See the National Parks Service on Great Outdoors Month and Find Your Par. Other events held throughout the month include June 1, American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day June 8, Family Health & Fitness Day; and June 1-9, National Fishing and Boating Week.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. See our blog post LGBTQ+ Pride Month at Work for a variety of resources to help employers practice equality, respect, and inclusion by celebrating the strength that diversity brings to the workplace. The post covers links to the history of PRIDE month and how it is celebrated today, key organizations, LGBTQ+ workplace articles, and more.
Men’s Health Month: Bridge the Men’s Health Gap!
June is dedicated Men’s Health Month. This focus is important because the gap in life expectancy between American men and women is now almost 6 years, the largest it has been since the mid-1990s. Men have been dying at higher rates from the top 10 causes of death. They also have a suicide rate that is almost four times higher than that of women, and are the victims of more than 90% of workplace deaths. The Men’s Health Resource Center says this life expectancy gap is partly because, “men are more likely to go long periods of time without going to the doctor, they’re less likely to adopt preventive health measures, and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.” Although preventative screenings are the most effective way to reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease, a recent U.S. survey found that 33% of men do not feel the need for yearly health screenings. Here are steps men can take to prevent chronic illnesses and close the longevity gender gap:
- Get screened: 9 Essential Screenings for Men
- Get one-to-one professional coaching through your EAP: Get help for stress management, nutrition, and fitness. Call 252.4555
- Don’t forget mental health. If you have an EAP at your workplace, use it.
PTSD Awareness Month
Experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or traumatic event can lead to temporary or long-term PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). After a traumatic event, most people will experience distress, such as shock, stress, nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, and fear. For most people, these symptoms will lessen over time, but for others, symptoms may extend over years and can be quite severe. According to the National Center for PTSD, there are currently about 12 million people in the U.S. living with PTSD, but most don’t seek the help they need. June is PTSD Awareness Month, designed to help spread knowledge, awareness, and help resources about PTSD, Why not take a 5-question self-screening test on June 27 is PTSD Screening Day? Taking a PTSD self-screen can help you learn if your feelings and behaviors are related to PTSD. To learn more and to get help, visit the National Center for PTSD, the world’s leading research and educational center of excellence on PTSD and traumatic stress from the US Department of Veteran Affairs. (Note that the resources are not just for veterans.) Families and friends of people who suffer from PTSD can also get support.
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
More than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. June is designated as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month to raise understanding and awareness of this disease and how people can get help. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting memory, thinking and behavior. Learn the 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. It’s a progressive disease, meaning that it worsens over a number of years. On average, a person with Alzheimer’s lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other health factors. For more information or help, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website or call the 24/7 Helpline anytime: 1.800.272.3900.
ESI EAP Member Website theme for the month of June
In June,our employee members’ feature webinar is Procrastination: Getting & Staying Motivated. Members can simply log in to www.theEAP.com during June to view the webinar and explore related resources.
Other key June dates & events:
- National Safety Month
- National Immigrant Heritage Month
- National Internet Safety Month
- National Cancer Survivor Month
- Cataract Awareness Month
- 2 – National Cancer Survivors Day
- 5 – World Environment Day
- 10-16 – Men’s Health Week
- 14 – Flag Day
- 14 – World Blood Donor Day
- 15 – World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
- 16 – Father’s Day
- 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
- 19 – World Sickle Cell Awareness Day
- 20 – First Day of Summer
- 23-29 – Lightning Safety Week
- 27 – National HIV Testing Day