Team :: Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention Policy

Dr. Jay Breneman

Director of Firearm Suicide Prevention Policy

Firearm suicide is responsible for over half of gun deaths in Pennsylvania. Dr. Jay Breneman joined our team to address this pervasive, yet unspoken, aspect of our gun violence crisis. Jay brings a variety of experience as a U.S. Army combat veteran, licensed social worker, policymaker, and educator. During his military service and transition back to civilian life, Jay witnessed the ways in which trauma and life’s crises can increase the risk of suicide among veterans. He understands first-hand how firearm suicide can tear apart families and communities, which is why Jay is working to shift the narrative about gun suicide by elevating the stories of Pennsylvanians who’ve been impacted by this all-too-common tragedy. In this role, he is developing a comprehensive policy, messaging, and coalition strategy to prevent firearm suicides in PA, integrating it across our current programs to end gun violence.

This transformational work is made possible by the generous contributions of the Stoneleigh Foundation.

To keep grounded, Jay enjoys spending every possible moment with his wife, their three children, and two dogs, in Erie where they reside.