Congress Backs September 19th as 'National Concussion Awareness Day' to Push for Better School Safety Rules

This resolution is straightforward: Congress wants to officially designate September 19, 2025, as “National Concussion Awareness Day.” The goal isn't to pass a new law with fines or taxes, but to use the platform to shine a spotlight on concussions and mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), especially how they affect kids and young adults.

The Real-World Stakes: Why This Day Matters

This isn’t just about making a date on the calendar; it’s about acknowledging a serious public health issue. The resolution points out some sobering statistics—like the fact that between 1.6 million and 3.8 million sports-related concussions happen annually, and that up to 5.3 million Americans are living with long-term TBI effects. For parents, coaches, or anyone running a youth league, this resolution confirms that those head bumps aren't just minor incidents; they require serious attention and standardized protocols.

Back to the Classroom and the Field

One of the most important elements the resolution highlights is the need for clear “return-to-play” and “return-to-learn” rules. Think about a high school football player who gets a concussion: “return-to-play” means they can’t just jump back on the field until cleared by a doctor, preventing a more severe second impact. Equally critical is “return-to-learn.” This recognizes that a student recovering from a concussion can't handle a full academic load—they might need reduced screen time, fewer assignments, or quiet testing environments. This resolution encourages schools and local governments to formalize these support systems, ensuring that recovery doesn't just happen on the sidelines but in the classroom, too.

The Policy Nudge: What Government Can Do

Since this is a resolution, it doesn't mandate anything, but it strongly encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to collaborate. Essentially, it’s a high-level push for better policy implementation on the ground. For local health departments and school boards, this means getting a signal from Congress that they should prioritize standardizing concussion diagnosis and management. It also explicitly calls for increased research and better prevention strategies, which could eventually translate into more funding for TBI studies down the line. In short, it’s a non-binding but powerful statement that tells everyone—from emergency room staff to gym teachers—that it’s time to take head injuries seriously and get on the same page about how to handle them.