Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month is celebrated around the world, consisting of many activities and informational events in the hope of raising awareness.
Tourette Awareness Month is a celebration between 15th May-15th June. The aim is to raise awareness and provide support to those living with the condition and their families. Some countries have a Tourette Awareness Day or Week consisting of activities and events.
Here is a list of events that were held by country in 2022, as an insight to what we can expect in 2023.
USA- Tourette’s Syndrome Awareness Month
Website: Tourette Association of America
Date: May 15th- June 15th
The TAA hold awareness month between May 15- June 15. For over 50 years the organisation has helped raise awareness and continue to do so.
Using the hashtag #MyTourette, individual stories and experiences are shared online. The community also share downloadable pictures and covers to social media and use the tag #TourettePledge to help make TS a disorder to be taken seriously.
Along with fundraising runs, virtual conferences and collectively wearing the color teal, this event is a wonderful community gathering. I am sure there is more in store this year.
UK- Tourette’s Awareness Month- May 15-June 15
Website: Tourettes Action
Date: May 15th- June 15th
Tourettes Action aims to ‘destigmatise Tourette Syndrome, showing the general public what the reality of TS looks like, dispelling some of the myths that surround it.’
The organisation would love the hashtags #ThisIsTourettes and #ItsNotWhatYouThink to be shared by anyone and everyone, in the hope of ending some of these myths whilst raising awareness.
It is also possible to order physical posters, as well as download digital ones, such as the one you can see in my right sidebar!
They also hold an annual #MoveForTourettes campaign. You set your own challenge, whether it be doing ten walking laps in the garden to doing a 10km run. Virtual groups were encouraged last year during the lockdown. Those that took part received a Tourette’s Awareness medal, certificate and wristband.
Tourette Scotland
Website: Tourette Scotland
Date: May 15th- June 15th
Tourette Scotland celebrated with their ‘What’s your SuperPower?‘ campaign, celebrating the positive aspects of living with Tourette Syndrome.
Australia- Tourette Awareness Week
Website: Tourette’s Syndrome Association of Australia
Date: First week of May
The TSAA hold a week long awareness on the first week of May.
They provide more information on the awareness event linked above. They even offer downloadable packs for those struggling during the pandemic. A very kind gesture!
Canada- Tourette Awareness Month
Website: Tourette Canada
Date: May 15th- June 15th
Tourette Canada did a great job of lighting various landmarks up in Teal during Awareness Month, providing links to livestreams for those not available in person.
We hope to see something similar in 2023!
Keep up to date moving forward
As different countries celebrate in different ways, we will try to share each and every event here. Tourette’s Syndrome is a condition that is still widely misunderstood, and awareness is desperately needed.
With each year that passes there is another opportunity to give it the recognition sufferers deserve.
Stay tuned for Tourette Awareness Month 2023!
