Despite head trauma being the major cause of death and disability for those 44 and under, we’ve been slow to take this aspect of brain health seriously. Yet brain health is clearly part of mental health. Regular and sufficient sleep, a healthy diet, and exposure to a nurturing and stimulating environment are all important, but we also have to protect our brains from injury. Too frequently, head trauma leads to PTSD, ADHD, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Helmets for bicycle riders didn’t come to market until 1975. We began serious discussions about the brain damage caused by contact sports barely a decade ago. Even now, we consider controversial the decision to follow NFL concussion protocols to keep a top-notch quarterback out of playoff games. We need to keep in mind the importance of brain trauma and head off further injuries.