Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN explores concussions in new film 'Bell Ringer' premiering April 7
Posted 17 Feb 2016
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) will premiere 'Bell Ringer: The Invisible Brain Injury,' a one-hour film exploring concussions, Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. A panel discussion will follow the program at 8 p.m. in 'Arkansans Ask: Concussions.'
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as many as 3.8 million brain injuries occur in athletics every year – and these are more common among children and students than star athletes. Through interviews with former professional athletes, medical experts and renowned researchers, 'Bell Ringer' describes the short-term effects and long-term risks of concussions, explaining how to handle them when they occur and the best methods of preventing them altogether.
'We often hear about concussions in professional football, but they can be a problem in any sport, at any age,' AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly said. 'AETN produces programs like 'Bell Ringer' to help inform Arkansas educators, students and families and positively impact health and safety in our state.'
AETN produced 'Bell Ringer' in response to The Arkansas Concussion Protocol Act of 2013, as well as Act 1214 of 2011, which requires coaches to complete training on concussions.
'We have to all work together to identify those scenarios and situations that can be dangerous to student athletes,' Joey Walters, deputy director of the Arkansas Activities Association, said. 'With a concussion, the most important thing is when you suspect that you've had some kind of trauma, that's when you need to have attention.
'Just the suspicion of having a concussion, [athletes] should not return [to the sport] until evaluated, because that's how serious it is. You cannot ignore concussions; you cannot ignore the effect they have on students.'
Featured in the film are:
'Arkansans Ask: Concussions' will follow 'Bell Ringer' at 8 p.m. April 7. Viewers may submit questions and comments at 800-662-2386, paffairs@aetn.org or on Twitter with #ARAsk.
Filming of 'Bell Ringer' took place at Ouachita Baptist University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Central Arkansas, North Little Rock High School, Hall High School, West Memphis High School and Cabot High School. The film was produced by Justin Blake Crum of AETN.
Additional information, including a toolkit for safely navigating brain injuries, is available at aetn.org/bellringer.
'Bell Ringer' will be available for online professional development credit for Arkansas state licensed educators via ArkansasIDEAS (ideas.aetn.org). Currently available to educators is 'The Xs and Os of Sports-Related Concussion: Fact vs. Fiction,' which features Dr. R. J. Elbin examining the effects of concussion on an athlete as a whole, as well as the primary and secondary risk factors that relate to concussion risk and recovery.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).