CRIMESTOPPERS: Call 716-867-6161 or visit their web site to make an anonymous tip. Call 9-1-1 for emergencies or crimes in process.
If your loved one is in crisis and has access to guns, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of gun-related injuries or death.
Crisis Services Hotline: 716-834-3131 (24/7)
211 WNY: 211 WNY is a three-digit phone number that connects people to services. This service operates 24/7. People can dial 211 or 888-696-9211 and talk to a trained information & referral specialist who is able to identify services in the community that can provide them with the help they need.
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES: The office of Buffalo Councilwoman Zeneta Everhart developed this project to support the needs of our community, providing vital information, resources, and contacts that can make a real difference in the lives of our youth and their families. This resource is designed to be a go-to guide for everything from educational programs to health services, offering over 40 sections of crucial information.
WNY BLACK WELLNESS DIRECTORY: The WNY Black Wellness Directory addresses the unique challenges confronting Black communities. Our professional Black healthcare providers offer a full range of services for every age and stage of life. This directory increases the visibility of black healthcare professionals, removing stigmas surrounding treatment, and aligning clinicians and providers with a supportive community of colleagues.
Safe Storage
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County has a map with firearm storage options. Watch the video from Crisis Services that explains how to use the map’s resources.
Printable flyer for Safe Storage options (PDF).
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
ERPO.org is a national resource hub providing clear, practical information, training, and state-by-state guidance on Extreme Risk Protection Orders (red flag laws) to help communities and professionals prevent firearm-related harm.
Public Health Grand Rounds - Extreme Risk Protection Orders: A New Gun Violence Prevention Tool for Healthcare (video with ASL interpretation).
Education
BeSmart For Kids is a child-focused gun safety program that teaches families simple, age-appropriate ways to prevent accidental shootings and firearm injuries by promoting secure storage, open conversations, and responsible behavior around guns.
Eddie Eagle, created by the National Rifle Association, is a gun safety program for children that teaches them to Stop. Don’t Touch. Run Away. Tell an Adult. when they encounter a firearm.
Hunter Education Courses from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation promote safe and responsible firearm handling, teaching proper storage, ethics, and accident prevention, which can reduce unintentional shootings and contribute to the overall prevention of gun-related injuries and deaths.
Stop the Bleed and Hands-Only CPR trainings equip bystanders with life-saving skills to control severe bleeding and maintain circulation, which are critical in gun-related injuries where rapid blood loss and cardiac arrest can occur before emergency responders arrive. Email phep@erie.gov for more information.
Mental Health First Aid is a training program that teaches people how to recognize, respond to, and support someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis until professional help is available.
The "Let's Talk about Mental Health" Newsletter from the Erie County Office of Health Equity is a community‑focused publication that provides clear, culturally responsive information about mental health topics, helps normalize conversations around emotional well‑being, highlights warning signs and coping strategies, and connects residents to supportive resources.