National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month | A YAC Student Blog

Sonali is a Senior at Dublin Jerome High school and an active member of the CMA’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Learn More.

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For most migraine patients, every month is an endless battle against their complex and debilitating disease. However, to the broad public, June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month (MHAM). Geared towards raising recognition and addressing disease stigma, MHAM seeks to build a stronger community of patient advocates.

In navigating pain, sensory abnormalities, dizziness, and brain fog, migraine patients are additionally burdened with invisibility. Those who suffer from chronic headaches don’t seem obviously sick, besides to people who know them closely. Consequently, it can be difficult for others to empathize with an illness they cannot see. Furthermore, migraine pains are often reduced by dismissive comments that distill the complexity of chronic disease down to the simple solution of taking Excedrin or Advil.

This year is specifically significant for headache patients considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has coincided with a 70% rise in migraine attacks. Despite pandemic-related effects on headache illnesses, telemedicine has been able to accommodate the majority of migraine patients, which has brought light to a new era of accessible migraine patient care.

This month provides a perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with this invisible, stigmatized disease that dramatically affects one’s quality of life. Here are some important days/weeks to be aware of:

  • June 1st is “migraine at work” day. Share a selfie on National Headache Foundation’s website!

  • June 6th is “veterans with headache diseases” day. According to MHAM, veterans are more likely to develop migraine/headache diseases. Take time to reach out to someone who might be affected!

  • June 7th is remembrance day, which honors Melissa Dwyer, who died by suicide on this day, as well as others whose diseases have also led to tragedy.

  • June 20th is “headache diseases and men” day. Coinciding with Father’s Day, the 20th serves as a reminder that headache is gender blind.

  • June 21st is “shades for migraine” day. Use #ShadesForMigraine to spread awareness on social media.

  • June 29th is chronic migraine awareness day. Wear red or purple and use the

#RallyAgainstChronicMigraine on social media platforms.

YAC StudentSonali ModakYAC