Violence Prevention

Public health advocacy: Since 2016, OHSU has advocated to treat gun violence as a public health issue. Our work on an advisory committee with representatives from Portland State University, the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, county, state and city governments, mental health groups, advocacy groups and nonprofit and volunteer outreach programs laid the groundwork for this important initiative.

Gun locks and home safety resources: We partner with the Tom Sargent Safety Center at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to connect gun owners with safety tools and education. This includes firearm lock boxes and trigger locks available for purchase, cable locks available at no cost and information about how to keep children safe with guns in the home. 

June Is National Gun Violence Awareness Month

Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership (GOFRO)

Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership (GOFRO) is partnering with physicians and public health professionals to seek ways to reduce gun violence and aid suicide prevention programs.

Please visit Gun Owners for Responsible Ownership for more information.

Be SMART

The Be SMART campaign was launched to raise awareness that secure gun storage—storing guns unloaded, locked, and separate from ammunition—can save children’s lives. Be SMART emphasizes that it’s an adult responsibility to keep kids from accessing guns, and that every adult can play a role in keeping kids and communities safer.

Please visit Be SMART for more information.

Support for People with Spinal Cord Injuries

Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection (OSCI) helps people who are affected by spinal cord injuries. We work to promote health, build community and create opportunities. Our goal is to make sure that everyone with a spinal cord injury gets the care and support they need to do well in life.

Our community health workers (CHW) have spinal cord injuries themselves. They understand the difficulties that people may face after an injury. Because of their own experiences and the years they have spent helping others, they know how to find the resources and services you need to succeed.

Services Provided

OSCI helps people who have just been hurt and are on their way to healing. They have community health workers who support these patients by giving them advice, helping them understand their health care, and making sure they have a good health plan.

Expected Benefits

• Emotional support: Patients can talk to someone who understands what they are going through.
• Personal communication: One-on-one chats with a peer who has been in a similar situation.
• Access to resources: Help finding community resources and support.
• Follow-up care: Checking in with OSCI during the next step of treatment.
• Ongoing education: Teaching patients how to avoid other health problems and reduce the chances of going back to the hospital.

Who can get help?

• Patients who have spinal cord injuries from diseases or accidents.
• Patients with either complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries, including ASIA A, B, C and D.
• It is best if the patient has at least a week before leaving the hospital so the health worker can visit.
• Patients need to agree to meet with a community health worker.

 Referral Process & Hours

Any health care worker at OHSU can refer a patient to OSCI. The patient must say it’s okay first.

Email contact@oregonsci.org with the patient’s name, age, gender, where they are in the hospital, and what level of spinal cord injury they have.

Hours
Referrals can be made on weekdays from
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Response time
OSCI will contact the patient within 24 hours.

Please visit Oregon Spinal Cord Injury Connection for more information.