News & Events

FIPP Tip May 2026

Friday, May 1, 2026

National Mental Health Awareness Month: A Reminder About Secure Firearm Storage

As we recognize National Mental Health Awareness Month in May, it’s vital to remember that patients with poor mental health are at increased risk for suicide, and over half of the more than 49,000 suicides in 2023 involved a firearm (CDC). Older adults (85+) had the highest suicide rates last year (April is also Older Americans Month) and have high rates of gun ownership.

Why This Matters

• 90% of suicide attempts using a firearm result in death (Everytown).

• Secure storage (locked, unloaded, separate from ammunition) can give those in crisis crucial time and deter impulsive actions.

How You Can Help

• Ask directly about firearm access during mental health screenings.

• Counsel patients and families on using gun locks, safes, or temporary off-site storage.

• Provide local resources for secure storage options (e.g., law enforcement drop-boxes, community lock-loan programs).

• Provide suicide prevention and crisis hotline resources (e.g., 988, 211).

By integrating these conversations into routine care, you use some of the most powerful tools available to prevent suicide.

Visit our website’s resource page for more information on secure firearm storage and how to have effective conversations with patients.

Remember, the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients. If you are interested and have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader contact us.

Community Baby Shower Event to Take Place Sunday, May 3

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

FIPP’s Dr. Jennifer West will be attending Senator Samra Brouk’s 5^th Annual Community Baby Shower. The event will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Ryan R-Center, 530 Webster Avenue, Rochester, NY, and is focused on improving maternal and child health. 

Dr. West will be sharing resources and handouts about the importance of secure firearm storage to prevent unintentional injury, suicide, and firearm theft, including free cable gun locks. For more information about the event, call Senator Brouk’s local office at (585) 223-1800

Wear Orange Day

Thursday, April 23, 2026

We're excited to be participating in Golisano Children's Hospital's 2026 Wear Orange Weekend! On 6/5, you may see staff in our clinics wearing orange to honor those impacted by gun violence while also raising awareness of ways we all can commit to a future free of firearm injury.

GCH is also hosting a t-shirt sale for those who would like to join in on this day! All proceeds will go towards Everytown for Gun Safety.

Promoting Wellness and Safety: Dr. Jennifer West at the Black Family Wellness Expo

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Dr. Jennifer West, Co-Director of FIPP, participated in the Rochester (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated's Fourth Annual Black Family Wellness Expo (BFWE). Dr. West shared crucial information on the secure storage of firearms to prevent related harms, such as suicide, unintentional injuries, and the theft of firearms used in crimes.

The Links, Incorporated, an international non-profit organization established in 1946, is dedicated to the cultural, civic, and economic advancement of African Americans and others of African ancestry. For over 40 years, members of its Rochester (NY) Chapter have served as philanthropists and decision-makers, working to improve the Rochester Community.

The annual Black Family Wellness Expo, a nationwide initiative launched four years prior, aims to provide vital information for all family members—from infants to seniors—to live healthier, happier lives. The organization's successful inaugural multi-city launch in 2023 marked the first time chapters collaborated coast-to-coast to address various health disparities and general wellness in a singular, one-day event.

This year's expo focused on a range of important topics, including:

• Disease screenings (e.g., Sickle Cell, Chronic Kidney Disease)
• Women’s Maternal and Children’s Health
• Vaccinations
• Substance abuse prevention
• "Link Up the Vote" initiatives
• Financial wellness
• Mental health for children and adults
• Caregiver resources

Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, Featured in Center for Community Health & Prevention

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Gun violence has been declared a national public health crisis, with profound long-term impacts on communities. Discover how FIPP's Co-Director, Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, is leading an innovative intergenerational mentoring program to foster social connections and disrupt cycles of violence, aiming to improve community well-being.

Read the full article on the Community Health & Prevention: Office of Equity website.  

Pathways to Peace Presents Friday Career Nights

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Join the City of Rochester’s Pathways to Peace (P2P) team on Fridays for an inspiring Career Night designed especially for Rochester’s Youth and Young Adults! P2P brings together local professionals from a wide range of industries—so you can explore real-world career paths, ask questions, and build valuable connections.

Click HERE to register!

Upcoming Spotlights

May 15 - Story of a Coach with Terrell Cunningham and staff - James Monroe High School, 164 Alexander Street, Rochester, NY

May 22 - Story of a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Developer: see how machines are designed and programmed (Location TBD)

What to Expect

Hands-on presentations and demonstrations

Casual Q&A with speakers who’ve “been there”

Mini workshops (for example, basic first-aid/CPR or portfolio-building tips)

Networking opportunities with mentors and peers

Recent Highlights

Rochester chef & caterer walked attendees through menu planning, food prep, and running a small business

Registered nurse offered live CPR practice and first-aid fundamentals

City of Rochester Hosts the Choose Wisdom Job Fair

Monday, March 2, 2026

Do you know of any Rochester Youth looking for a fresh start, a new job, or a chance to move their life in a positive direction? 

Announcing the Choose Wisdom Job Fair taking place Saturday, April 25, at the Trent and Pamela Jackson R-Center, 485 Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14605, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

This supportive, judgment-free hiring event is created especially for adults 19+ who are ready to take their next step. The event is designed for Advance Peace fellows, people returning from incarceration, and anyone who hasn’t had many chances to build work experience. 

Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with 20+ employers who get it and can offer real opportunities, training, and pathways to success.

FIPP Tip February 2026

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Announcing a New Firearm Injury Prevention Brochure

We're excited to share that a new Spanish-language brochure, Firearm Injury Prevention for Older Adults, is now available!

This brochure was developed by Jordan Kocon, a 2024-25 doctoral psychology intern, as part of his leadership project with the FIPP team. It was created in collaboration with Spanish-speaking mental health professionals and members of the Hispanic community in Rochester. The project was also presented by FIPP Co-Director Jennifer West, PhD, at the National Research Conference on Firearm Related Harms in Phoenix, and audience members provided positive and helpful feedback.

This resource aims to educate not only older adults, but all members of the family, on the critical importance of secure firearm storage to prevent injury and death. It includes background information about specific risk factors for firearm-related injury for adults and tips for how to have conversations about this topic.

A PDF version is attached for your review. If you have patients who could benefit from this information, please contact Kelly at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu. Please provide your intra-office address so she can arrange delivery within URMC.

Don’t forget, the FIPP website (fipp.urmc.edu) provides a wealth of helpful, secure firearm storage resources and information. Check it out!

Lastly, we have free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients.  If you are interested and have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader contact us.

FIPP Tip January 2026

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Firearm Injury and Violence Survivors

Beyond the physical trauma, firearm injury survivors, their families, and communities often face substantial financial burdens and significant emotional strain. What specific considerations should guide clinicians’ approach when working with individuals who have survived firearm injuries?  To better support these individuals, we've outlined several categories of firearm injury survivors, each with links to our website resource pages.  

Witnessing or Experiencing Gun Violence (such as a homicide or suicide)

Interpersonal/Domestic Violence

School Shootings/Mass Shootings

PTSD and Veteran Suicide

Do you have a resource we should add to our website? Email us at Preventing_Firearm_Injury@urmc.rochester.edu 

Don’t forget, the FIPP Team has free cable gun locks available for distribution to your patients.  If you are interested and have completed our Firearm Injury Prevention training, please have your clinic leader contact us.

Firearm Injury Prevention Training Provided for Psychiatry Residents

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

On Wednesday, January 28, FIPP Co-directors, Jennifer West, PhD, and Corey Nichols-Hadeed, JD, presented Firearm Injury Prevention for Health Care Providers training to Department of Psychiatry Residents. The presentation taught participants the role secure firearm storage plays in preventing suicide, unintentional injury, and death; how to identify the different types of secure firearm storage, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each; and how to have productive conversations with their patients (and their families) about the importance of secure firearm storage.

If you are interested in having Dr. West and Ms. Nichols-Hadeed present to your clinic or team about firearm injury prevention, please visit our website and complete the presentation request form.