Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador unveiled a new awareness campaign Friday, aimed at helping players flag the signs of a concussion.

I always tell patients, would you rather miss one game or miss the whole season? - Dr. Jared Butler

The first step involves placing posters in locker rooms and sporting facilities across the province. The posters are designed to help people determine whether or not they should seek medical help.

Posters like this one, also known as a concussion recognition tool, will be placed at hockey arenas around Newfoundland and Labrador to help people better identify the signs and symptoms of a concussion. (Twitter/@RightBlueLabs)

"This tool is going to be placed on the back of every dressing room door, and on every bench and every rink across the province," says Dr. Jared Butler, Hockey NL's medical advisor.

"The whole idea behind it is to increase people's awareness and ability to recognize when somebody may have suffered a concussion."

Knowing what to look for

The campaign was initiated by Hockey NL in partnership with the provincial government, Municipalities NL and the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association, with the intent of informing players, coaches and fans on what symptoms to look for when diagnosing a concussion.

The new posters list several questions about symptoms — including whether someone is experiencing balance problems, irritability or neck pain.

If someone answers affirmatively to one or more of the visible symptoms, they're advised to seek medical attention.

Prevention and management of concussion injuries in athletes has become a hot topic in recent years. (CBC)

Butler said there has been a lot of progress in recent years when it comes to awareness around concussions, but said there's still work to do when it comes to getting people to visit a doctor after they've hit their head.

"I always tell patients, would you rather miss one game or miss the whole season?" he said.

"Come get checked out by a healthcare professional. Get yourself seen to and if a diagnosis of a concussion is made, get it dealt with."

