(August 2019) – Walk The Talk America (WTTA), a non-profit organization working to foster relationships between firearms companies and firearms owners with the mental health community, and their partner, Zephyr Wellness, a Reno, Nevada-based counseling agency, held the first of a series of seminars at the Reno Guns & Range on July 25, 2019. The event, entitled “At the Intersection of Guns and Mental Health,” introduced mental health professionals to the gun culture in an effort to open a dialog between gun owners and mental health practitioners.
Michael Sodini, founder and CEO of WTTA, kicked off the inaugural workshop and Zephyr Wellness co-founder and clinical director, Jake Wiskerchen, addressed the full house on issues facing both the mental health and 2nd Amendment community and ways to bridge that gap, bringing about increased awareness, and developing resources to help people in need.
“I could not be prouder of what we are doing or more pleased at how the training went. The attendees all reported that they got a lot out of it and are looking forward to more classes,” Wiskerchen commented. “Our aim is to do a full-blown certificate program sometime in the near future so that gun owners will be able to identify clinicians who welcome and affirm their needs without stigma or judgment.”
Rob Pincus, WTTA board member, professional firearms trainer, author, and consultant, gave attendees shooting safety and instruction and the opportunity to shoot handguns at Reno Guns & Range’s new state-of-the-art, redesigned, full-service, indoor shooting and training facility.
Gun Freedom Radio Show host, Cheryl Todd, was among the attendees and invited the WTTA and Zephyr Wellness team for a conversation on the event. Sodini and Wiskerchen attended and the interview can be found here: https://youtu.be/ApCTnXcUetU
Sodini concluded, “Our first event went off better than anticipated and having a course like this is long overdue. Bringing two sides together for cultural understanding is the only way to get past the stigma and fear both sides deal with on a daily basis. With Rob’s instruction in firearms, Jake’s knowledge in mental health and my passion for bringing both sides together, I am excited about the future. This will save lives.”
Upcoming courses for mental health care professionals will be posted on the WTTA and Zephyr Wellness sites.
Facebook: Facbook.com/walkthetalkus/
Instagram & Twitter: @walkthetalkus
About Walk the Talk America:
Our mission is to fund research and development for outreach and promotion of mental health to reduce the misconceptions and prejudices that exist when it comes to mental illness and firearms. We believe we can be a catalyst for change by working with experts in the mental health industry. www.walkthetalkamerica.org
About Zephyr Wellness:
Locally owned and operated, Zephyr offers outpatient counseling for individuals, couples, groups, and families of all ages and demographics, regardless of their struggles. Our mission is to provide citizens in our community, state, and country with the best possible care for mind, body, and spirit through accessible, holistic and compassionate approaches that honor personal freedom. www.zephyrwellness.org
