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.
Wash your hands often, stay at least 6 feet apart from others, wear a mask in public settings, stay home if you are sick, and disinfect high-touch surfaces often. These are all very important ways to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All Virginians should limit group gatherings to no more than 250 people. Continue to practice social distancing and avoid mass gatherings and crowded places.
Governor Northam announced that Virginia entered Phase Three of the Forward Virginia reopening plan on July 1, 2020. Governor Northam issued Executive Order 63, which requires Virginians aged 10 years or older to wear masks in public settings and business establishments, effective May 29.

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.