Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America
An honest and comprehensive discussion about guns and mental health. Two highly stigmatized cultures that have long stood across from each other, refusing to collaborate whenever tragedy strikes. That trend ends now. For firearms owners, clinicians, and the curious public.
Guns and Mental Health by Walk the Talk America
Ep 162: When Worlds Come Together: ROOTS, Research, and Real Conversations at the National Research Conference
In this special episode, Kevin Berry sits down with Kerri Raissian, Senior Research Scientist at the Yale School of Public Health, Kenny Barlow from Regal Products, and WTTA founder Mike Sodini to recap a week that moved the conversation forward in meaningful ways. The National Research Conference for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms brought together researchers, public health leaders, industry partners, clinicians, and advocates who all share a common goal. Reduce negative outcomes and save lives.
For the first time, WTTA and the ROOTS initiative were represented on the exhibitor floor. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees were curious, supportive, and eager to learn how voluntary secure storage, mental health tools, and trusted community partnerships fit into the broader prevention landscape. Our team heard again and again how important it was to have firearm owners and industry voices present, willing to listen and willing to engage in good faith.
In this conversation, we break down key themes from the conference, share insights from panels and hallway conversations, and talk about what it means when different perspectives finally have a chance to connect. This episode highlights why cultural understanding matters, what ROOTS is building, and how collaborations across disciplines can create practical, real-world solutions that help families, communities, and firearm owners.
