June is Brain Injury Awareness Month.   Thompson has one of only two Acquired Brain Injury Units in the province, designed to help those recovering from such injuries .  Bruce Krentz from the Northern Health Region shares the most common ways brain injuries occur.

“There are lots of ways you can end up with a brain injury.  Some of the top things that can happen:  Falls - ice, falling out of bed, falling in the shower.  Vehicle related collisions is a huge one -  bicycles, motorbikes - get your helmets on, it’s a good idea; violence,  and sports injuries is another one.”

Domestic violence is a contributing cause to brain injury, but it’s often not recognized as a public health issue because it often is kept secret by the victim.    A study has found that 92 per cent of victims of domestic violence reported their partners hit them in the head more than once; up to 83 per cent reported being both hin in the head and severely shaken; and approximately 8 per cent said they were hit in the head over 20 times in the past year.

160-thousand Canadians sustain brain injuries each year and incidents are rising. At this time, over a million Canadians live with the effects of an acquired brain injury.

Bruce Krentz with the Northern Health Region says prevention is the key.     He says that wearing a helmet during certain activities can reduce the incident of brain injury.  

The Northern Health Region is holding a tour of their Acquired Brain Injury unit tomorrow from 12:15 to 1:15 at 12 Spruce Road as part of Brain Injury Awareness Month.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.