Senator Hassan Introduces Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing National Concussion Awareness Day

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) are recognizing today, Friday, September 19^th, as National Concussion Awareness Day. Senator Hassan has spearheaded Concussion Awareness Day since her time as Governor of New Hampshire, following the advocacy of Brooke Schuessler, a 26-year-old Granite Stater who experienced a life-altering concussion when she was in high school.

"Concussions can happen to anyone, not just from playing sports but during everyday activities, and we must continue to build awareness about these injuries," said Senator Hassan. "This resolution recognizing National Concussion Awareness Day will help spread awareness and ensure that more Americans have access to the information and resources that they need to prevent, recognize, and properly treat these traumatic brain injuries. I'm grateful to Granite Stater Brooke Schuessler, whose dedicated advocacy continues to drive meaningful change in how we approach concussion awareness."

National Concussion Awareness Day was inspired by former Miss New Hampshire Brooke Schuessler, who suffered a life-altering concussion during her freshman year of high school. Her advocacy efforts prompted then-Governor Hassan to establish Concussion Awareness Day in New Hampshire in 2016. Upon joining the Senate, Senator Hassan built on this foundation by introducing legislation to mark Concussion Awareness Day beginning in 2019. In recognition of Brooke's advocacy, Senator Hassan honored her as a Granite Stater of the Month.

"Concussions adversely affect far too many individuals in West Virginia and across our country," Senator Capito said. "Enhancing concussion prevention and increasing awareness, in addition to proper diagnosis and management, are essential for athletes, coaches, parents, and others to play sports and work safely. I'm proud to join my colleagues on this resolution and I hope it amplifies the need for continued concussion prevention, safety, and treatment."

"A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can impact someone for a lifetime. That's why it's critical that Americans take head injuries seriously," said Senator Durbin. "I'm joining Senator Hassan to introduce a resolution to recognize National Concussion Awareness Day to help spread awareness about the available resources to prevent, identify, and treat concussions."

"As the father of six young athletes, and a former fighter myself, I know firsthand how challenging concussions, and other traumatic brain injuries, can be," said Senator Mullin. "Anyone who knows my family knows our son, Jim, suffered a life-threatening TBI from a wrestling incident in 2020. While he's made an incredible recovery-- our lives have never been the same. Though our experience stems from the world of sports, you don't have to be an athlete to suffer a concussion, everyone is susceptible. That is why we must continue to bring awareness to this critical injury. I am honored to join my colleagues on this resolution to recognize Friday, September 19th, as National Concussion Awareness Day."

"When I founded National Concussion Awareness Day, it was with the belief that we needed to change how we see concussions and the conversations surrounding them. A concussion is not 'just a bump on the head'-it is a traumatic brain injury, and it deserves to be recognized as such. By reforming our understanding, we can break down the misconceptions that keep people silent or dismiss their struggles. Every story shared, every honest conversation, helps us protect ourselves and support others. My hope is that together, we create a culture where concussions are no longer invisible, but understood for what they truly are-and where those impacted feel empowered to seek help, heal, and thrive," said Brooke Schuessler.

The resolution that Senator Hassan introduced recognizes September 19, 2025, as National Concussion Awareness Day, commends organizations that raise awareness about concussions, and encourages further research and prevention efforts.

Read the text of the resolution here or below:

Supporting the designation of September 19, 2025, as ''National Concussion Awareness Day''.

Whereas mild traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as a concussion, is an important health concern for children, teens, and adults;

Whereas, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-

1. there are as many as 1,600,000 to 3,800,000 sports-related concussions annually;
2. as many as 5,300,000 individuals live with the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury;
3. between 2010 and 2016, an estimated 2,000,000 children under age 18 visited an emergency department because of a traumatic brain injury sustained during sports- or recreation-related activities;
4. in 2023, there were an estimated 69,000 fatalities related to traumatic brain injuries;
5. each year an estimated 283,000 children seek care in emergency departments in the United States for a sports- or recreation-related traumatic brain injury, with traumatic brain injuries sustained in contact sports accounting for approximately 45 percent of those visits;
6. 7 in 10 emergency department visits for sports- or recreation-related traumatic brain injury are for children ages 17 and younger;
7. research suggests that many children with a traumatic brain injury do not seek care in emergency departments or do not seek care at all, resulting in a significant underestimate of prevalence; and
8. approximately 15 percent of all high school students in the United States self-reported 1 or more sports-or recreation-related concussions within the preceding 12 months;

Whereas the seriousness of concussions should not be minimized in athletics, and return-to-play and return-to-learn protocols can help ensure recovery;

Whereas concussions can affect physical, mental, and social health, and a greater awareness and understanding of proper diagnosis and management of concussions is critical to improved outcomes; and

Whereas the Senate can raise awareness about concussions among the medical community and the public: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate-

1. supports the designation of September 19, 2025, as ''National Concussion Awareness Day'';
2. recognizes that mild traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as a concussion, is an important health concern;
3. commends the organizations and individuals that raise awareness about mild traumatic brain injury;
4. encourages Federal, State, and local policymakers to work together-
5. 1. to raise awareness about the effects of concussions; and
   2. to improve the understanding of proper diagnosis and management of concussions; and
6. encourages further research and prevention efforts to ensure that fewer individuals experience the most adverse effects of mild traumatic brain injury.

###

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet