Metro Public Health Department marks June as Gun Violence Awareness Month

June is known nationally as Gun Violence Awareness Month, and the Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) is encouraging the community to participate in the work to address and prevent violence. MPHD's Behavioral Health and Wellness Team works closely with several community partners to address root causes of violence and work to ensure a healthier community. The community is invited to wear orange on Friday, June 5th in recognition of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Orange has been designated in recognition of Gun Violence Awareness as it is the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others."A Nashville with fewer gun violence incidents is a healthier Nashville," said Dr. Sanmi Areola, Director of Health at the Metro Public Health Department. "By focusing on better meeting the needs of the community, especially those at highest risk of being part of a cycle of violence, we can create the Nashville our community deserves where everyone can achieve their full potential for health."

Through a collaboration with Metro Police, members of the Behavioral Health and Wellness team conduct customized notifications to suspects and victims of acts of violence. The team brings resources like career assistance, food resources and referrals to mental health providers to these meetings, known as Custom Notifications. These notifications are meant to offer assistance to meet certain needs that may have played a part in acts of violence. So far in 2026, more than 40 custom notifications have been made. For 87.07% of those contacted through these custom notifications over the past year and a half, no further arrests were recorded.

"Research shows that those who have been impacted by violence in the past are at a higher risk of playing a role in violence in the future," said Dr. Anidolee Melville-Chester, Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness at the Metro Public Health Department. "By going to those most at risk of future violent acts, our team ensures that resources can be accessed by those who need them most."

MPHD's Behavioral Health and Wellness team also works to proactively reach communities where violence is more prevalent through the Walk One Stop program. Team bring available resources directly to communities that disproportionately suffer from gun violence, handing them out person-to-person and leaving them at the doorstep of community members. Since 2025, the Behavioral Health and Wellness team has conducted four Walk One Stop events, with another planned later this month.

MPHD also supports the Community Safety Task Force, helping to convene the task force and provide assistance as needed during their meetings. The task force is working on recommendations to make the community safer, ultimately ending in the development of a comprehensive Community Safety Plan. The community is invited to continue offering their input to the plan through an online survey, input that will be used to inform the plan. Community members can fill out the survey at https://publicinput.com/communitysafety#tab-74417.