NSSF: “First-Ever Suicide Prevention Town Hall Delivers Powerful Impact”

Mike Sodini, founder of Walk The Talk America (WTTA), spoke at the public Town Hall during the 2026 SHOT Show®. Below is an excerpt from NSSF.org’s article “First-Ever Suicide Prevention Town Hall Delivers Powerful Impact”:

Mike Sodini, founder of Walk The Talk America (WTTA), has a long relationship with the firearm industry, including a decades-long career in the firearm manufacturing space. Like other panelists, he has been deeply impacted by suicide and shared how it has affected his life.

“When you think about suicide, you always think there are signs — that you need to look for things,” he said. “And I want to caution everybody here, maybe that’s not the case all the time. It’s why it’s so important we tackle this ourselves as an industry, and we give tools and resources to our community.”

WTTA offers free, anonymous mental health screenings and has partnered with several firearm manufacturers to include a flyer with a free screening in firearm packaging. The positive reaction from customers surprised Sodini.

“When we think of guns and mental health, we usually think people are coming after our rights. But one of the coolest things, and the reason why I tell you this is because sometimes you’ve got to take a chance — sometimes you’ve got to just do something,” he said.

Sodini encouraged the firearm industry to continue its efforts to establish a leadership presence in this space.

“Talking about it doesn’t mean you’re going to inspire people to do it. They’re doing it,” he said. “The firearms industry can be the leaders in this space when it comes to suicide prevention and mental health. We don’t need any hero to save us. We can do it ourselves. And it starts by being creative.”