In 1999 NOFASD Australia was the first Australian organisation to get involved in acknowledging International FASD Awareness Day (9th September) and we’ve been delighted to see the growth in activities (and awareness) since then – including the fact that we now have a whole month devoted to FASD Awareness and not just one day!
Each year around the world September (FASD Awareness Month) offers an opportunity to do all we can to focus attention on raising more awareness of FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) and FASD Awareness Day on 9th September always sees a concentration of these activities. The 9th day of the 9th month was selected over 25 years ago as International FASD Awareness Day to focus attention on the need for the whole 9 months of pregnancy to be alcohol-free in order to prevent FASD.
This year the spotlight shone early on FASD with an event on 25th August at Parliament House in Canberra, attended by MPs and Senators and featuring a panel discussion about the intersection of FASD and the justice system. This major event was a collaboration between NOFASD, FARE Australia, the FASD Hub Australia and NACCHO – organisations that are all committed to raising awareness of the risks posed by prenatal alcohol exposure and the need for increased understanding and informed support structures for those whose lives are impacted by the lifelong brain and body impacts of FASD.
For an overview of FASD Awareness Month from the perspective of the team at NOFASD Australia, we invite you to watch this short video. Finally, it’s never too early to consider what you might do for FASD Awareness Month next year. As a first step, if you don’t already subscribe to NOFASD’s monthly newsletter, The Loop, we invite you to subscribe so you’ll stay up to date about NOFASD’s activities.