What Walk the Talk America has accomplished
Resources for the Community
We provide informational flyers for firearm sellers to add to gun boxes plus anonymous, free mental health screenings on our website. These help gun owners get a chance to check in on themselves and point them in the right direction to get the help they need. Screenings are also effective in staying on top of one’s mental health.
Resources for Mental Health Professionals
Cultural Competence Classes
Our cultural competence classes bring mental health professionals into the range to learn the basics of firearms. This helps therapists get a better understanding of the “gun culture/2A community.” Our course is the first of its kind and rewards practitioners with 3 CEUs upon completion.
Partnerships
Bridging the Gap Between Mental Health & Gun Ownership
We work together with national organizations such as Mental Health America. Mental health and firearms are two subjects that are controversial and highly stigmatized. Previously, the two worlds never talked to each other. By bridging this gap, we have been able to bring the mental health community to national firearm shows such as the NRA and SHOT Show. Getting them involved in firearm-related podcasts and radio shows help demystify "gun culture." This program also works to educate the Second Amendment Community to show counseling experience and get firearms owners more help. We hand out literature and wrist bands that promote treatment engagement.
Timeline
2018
June 13 The concept of WTTA is born out of a random conversation with a stranger.November 29 WTTA releases the WTTA.org/LOVE wristband that leads to free and anonymous mental health screenings.
2019
March 19 Eagle Imports became the first manufacturer to put the WTTA flier in all of its firearm brand boxes.
July 25 WTTA and Zephyr Wellness host the first ever At the Intersection of Guns and Mental Health course.
August 27 Presented at the 2019 Annual National Association for Rural Mental Health Conference Continuing Education Program.
October 24 Michael Sodini was on the PREVENTS Team put together by the Trump administration and presented at the White House.
2020
February 28 Attended the VA/AFSP Conference. This is the jump off point for our relationship with the VA as advisors.
August 8 The Guns and Mental Health Podcast debuts.
2021
July 21 The 2nd part of the Guns and Mental Health Cultural Competence Intermediate Course is held.
November 1 Armscor became the first ammo company to feature the WTTA mental health screening on the side of their shotgun shell boxes.
November 11 At the Intersection of Guns and Mental Health presentation at San Jose State University.
2022
January-November Mike drove Uber to make ends meet and keep WTTA alive.
2023
June 22 Aspen Ideas: Health on the panel “Preventing Gun Violence: When Legislation Isn’t Enough.”
December 1 USA Today article “Suicide a big part of rising gun deaths.”
2024
January 19 Launched Mental Health Instructor Video.
June 24-26 Presented at the Stop The Stigma Conference with Mental Health America.
July 18 Launched Mental Health Plan.
November 13 Launched Responsible Gun Ownership.
December 9-11 Presented at the National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearms-Related Harms.
Make a change
What we’ve achieved so far is only the beginning. Our vision is to create a society where the mental health and firearms communities come together to develop innovative programs based on fact and understanding to reduce suicide and promote treatment engagement.