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Injury and Violence prevention branch

Violence Pre​vention & Behavioral Health: How They Connect

It is a common misconception that behavioral health challenges lead to violence; however, evidence shows this is not the case. Violence prevention and behavioral health are connected because both are shaped by the same community challenges, also known as conditions such as economic stress, unsafe environments, and social isolation. Thus, the risk for both violence and poor behavioral health outcomes increases. Improving these conditions helps prevent violence and strengthen behavioral health outcomes and well-being for everyone.[1​]​

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines behavioral health as "a state of mental, emotional and social well-being or behaviors and actions that affect wellness and is a key component of overall health.” It is an umbrella term that refers to the following topics: 
  • Mental health (i.e. well-being, mental distress, mental health conditions) 
  • Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts 
  • Substance use or substance use disorders 

Violence prevention is a key part of California’s Behavioral Health strategy because it addresses the same upstream drivers that shape both safety and well-being. The CDC further explains that “improving behavioral health outcomes means addressing factors at multiple levels, including social determinants of health – supporting the environments where we live, work, learn, and play.[2]​

Improving community conditions supports violence prevention and behavioral health outcomes​​ 

How Violence Prevention Strategies Support Behavioral Health Outcome​s[3],[4],[​5]​​​​​

Violence Prevention strategies behavioral health outcomes​​​​​

​​Approach to Preventing Violence and Strengthening Behavioral He​​alth

CDPH’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch’s (IVPB) violence prevention efforts strengthen behavioral health outcomes by focusing on population level, primary prevention strategies—improving the environments where people live, learn, work, and play. Through this approach, CDPH’s IVPB supports community-led changes that build safety, stability, and connection across California. 

CDPH/IVPB key str​ate​gies include: ​

  • Economic Stability (e.g., housing, income supports, job readiness) 

  • Safe & Supportive Environments (e.g., schools, neighborhoods) 

  • Healthy Relationships and Social Norms 

  • Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) 

These strategies reduce risks such as chronic stress, trauma, and social isolation, while increasing connection, safety, and resilience in communities.[6]​


​This work directly aligns with CDPH’s Behavioral Health Services Population-Based Prevention Program. CDPH supports this vision by: 

  • Addre​ssing root causes before problems begin. 

  • Investing in population level prevention. 

  • Aligning efforts across public health, behavioral health, and community partners.​​​

Violence Prevention is a key ​

For more information on Behavioral Health and CDPH Behavioral Health Transformation, please visit the following sites: ​​​


References

[1​]​ California Department of Public Health (2017). Preventing Violence in California Volume 1: The Role of Public Health. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Public Health.

[2​]​ Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025) About Behavioral Health. https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/about-behavioral-health.html

[3​]​ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019) Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): Preventing Early Trauma to Improve Adult Health. Vital Signs. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/aces/index.html 

[4​]​ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Violence Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/index.html 

[5​]​ Swedo EA, Pampati S, Anderson KN, et al. Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Conditions and Risk Behaviors Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023. MMWR Suppl 2024;73(Suppl-4):39–49. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su7304a5 

[6​]​ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Prevention Resource for Action:  A Compilation of the Best Available Evidence.​ Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  ​​


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