Firearm Instructors Mental Health Resource Videos

Welcome to Walk the Talk America’s mental health training video for firearms trainers. This video is a vital resource tailored for firearm training instructors to show in their classes and individual gun owners seeking to improve their mental health.

This video came in response to new state requirements mandating mental health training as part of concealed carry certifications. This comprehensive video offers expert insights and practical advice across seven key chapters. It begins with an introduction by Michael Sodini, the founder of Walk the Talk America, who sets the stage for what follows. These chapters cover a range of crucial topics, from understanding your mental functioning and recognizing personal biases to responsible firearm storage and managing access to firearms.

Professionals like Kevin Dixie lead each section and include board members of Walk the Talk America: Jake Wiskerchen, a marriage and family therapist, and Rob Pincus, an expert in firearm training. They provide valuable tools, techniques, and resources to enhance your mental health and promote responsible firearm ownership. Whether you’re a new gun owner or a seasoned instructor, this video is an essential guide to understanding the intersection of mental health and responsible firearm use.

Support for this project

If you’d like to become a corporate sponsor for a chapter of this project and have your company’s logo listed in the description before that chapter, please get in touch!

If you love this resource and want to show your support, check out our individual sponsor page!

Thank you to these individual sponsors for your support!

Published May 29, 2024.

Jump to…

Chapter 1	Introduction
Chapter 2	Understanding Your Mental Functioning
Chapter 3	Responsible Storage
Chapter 4	Know Your Own Biases
Chapter 5	Access
Chapter 6	Resources To Improve Your Mental Health
Chapter 7	Outro

Chapter 1: Introduction

Presented by Michael Sodini

Founder of Walk the Talk America, Michael Sodini, introduces the organization he built and the purpose of this video.

Chapter 2: Understanding Your Mental Functioning

Presented by Jake Wiskerchen

Jake Wiskerchen, owner of Zephyr Wellness, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Walk the Talk America Board Member, introduces tools to improve your mental health, like knowing your emotions and other topics that can help you better understand and control your mental functioning.

Mentioned in this section: Emotional Functioning Flyer (PDF)

Chapter 3: Responsible Storage

Presented by Rob Pincus

Rob Pincus, owner of I.C.E. Firearm Training and Walk the Talk America Board Member, discusses the importance of storing your firearms responsibly. He demonstrates some popular tools and devices for storage.

Mentioned in this section: PersonalDefenseNetwork.com

Chapter 4: Know Your Own Biases

Presented by Kevin Dixie

Kevin Dixie, owner of N.O.C. Firearms Training, explains why knowing your own biases is important as a firearm owner.

Chapter 5: Access

Presented by Rob Pincus

Rob Pincus returns in this chapter to discuss why access matters and limiting unauthorized access to others and even yourself at times as a gun owner is a good idea. He also includes tips on removing components of firearms and devices that could help temporarily remove access to a gun to someone who is in crisis or even just trying a new medication and isn’t sure how it will impact them.