Injury and Violence Prevention

Virginia’s Health is in Your Hands. Do your part, stop the spread.

Get the Facts

We need everyone’s help to stop the spread. Individuals, communities, businesses, and healthcare organizations all play an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Governor Northam announced that Virginia enters Phase Three of the Forward Virginia reopening plan on Wednesday, July 1.
VDH urges all Virginians to continue to limit exposure by staying 6 feet from others and wearing a cloth mask while in public settings.
Governor Northam announced a mask mandate, which requires Virginians over 10-years-old to wear face coverings in public settings, effective May 29.
Wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, and disinfect high-touch surfaces. These are all very important ways to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
It is important for people at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions (and those who live with them), to protect themselves from getting COVID-19.
All Virginians should limit group gatherings of more than 250. Continue to practice social distancing, avoid mass gatherings and crowded places.

Injury is a leading cause of death and hospital visits in Virginia. Injuries and violence can affect all Virginians. Often, survivors and communities face life-long physical, mental, and financial problems.

Despite its burden, injuries and violence are often preventable through potentially modifiable factors, such as the environment, behavior change, policy, and use of safety devices.

The Virginia Department of Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program aims to reduce injuries, hospitalizations and deaths for all Virginians by reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors.

To learn more about our partners, click here

COVID-19: Injury and Violence Prevention: Toolkit in construction

**Note-The VDH Injury and Violence Prevention program is a training, technical assistance, and policy development program, and is not crisis intervention service based.

Virginians have experienced drastic changes in everyday life– schools, faith communities, businesses, and workplaces being closed, Virginia’s “shelter in place” and “social distancing” as a result of COVID-19….. Often times, change in general can lead to increased incidents of injuries and violence, while also taking a tremendous toll on protective factors like economic stability, community connectedness, and mental health.

As Virginia and our nation continues to respond to this rapidly changing environment, we can ensure that practices we know to prevent injuries and violence and support resilient, healthy communities, remain part of the ongoing conversation.

If you or someone you know is in need of immediate assistance, please use or share the following hotlines:

Suicide Prevention

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or 1-800-273-TALK

Crisis Text Line: 741741

Child Help: 800-422-4453

Family/Intimate Partner Violence

Virginia Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-838-8238

LGBTQ Partner Abuse and Sexual Assault Helpline, 1-800-356-6998.

If you are not able to call, text 804.793.9999. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.