OLYMPIA -- Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month during March provides public education on preventing traumatic brain injuries and connects TBI survivors to services and resources available in Washington.

The TBI Helpline, 877-TBI-1766, was established in March 2007. Staff people are available Monday through Friday to connect TBI survivors and their families with local resources and information. The helpline is funded through RCW 74.31, which requires that $2 from each moving violation ticket is put into the TBI fund.

The fund also supports the Web site www.TBIWashington.org as well as the coordination of resources and services and a support group for traumatic brain injury survivors. A partnership council advises the state Department of Social and Health Services on planning and implementing TBI services for survivors and caregivers.

According to state Department of Health statistics, men are twice as likely as women to die from a traumatic brain injury. Every year 1,300 Washington residents die of traumatic brain injuries. There are 55,000 traumatic brain injury hospitalizations annually. It is estimated that Washington has nearly 123,750 residents living with a TBI-related disability.

Traumatic Brain Injuries are life-altering events. If you or someone you know has a traumatic brain injury, please call 877-TBI-1766 or visit www.TBIWashington.org for information, resources, and support services in your local area.

On Feb. 25, traumatic brain injury survivors met with Sens. Derek Kilmer and Debbie Regala at the Washington State Senate to read a resolution proclaiming March to be Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. Attached is a photo of the event and link to the live event. http://blog.senatedemocrats.wa.gov/kilmer/raising-awareness-of-traumatic-brain-injuries/

# # #

DSHS does not discriminate and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.