The 2022 NAMI Washington State Conference (NAMIWA) was hosted virtually and in-person at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake on September 17th in Olympia, WA.
Participants learned about new approaches, findings, policy updates, awareness and other topics seeking to dispel the many myths surrounding the conversation of mental health and gun violence.
HIPRC Core Faculty and Associate Director of the Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, Dr. Laura C. Prater collaborated with other industry experts to present a workshop on Gun Violence & Mental Health: Unlocking Solutions Over Suspicions that aimed to help participants walk away with greater information on the intersection between gun violence and mental health, specifically regarding suicide.
The workshop’s panel of speakers also included:
Dylan O’Connor
Political & Government Affairs Manager, Alliance For Gun Responsibility
Marcus Harrison Greene
Publisher, South Seattle Emerald
Karyn Brownson
Director of Training, Youth Suicide Prevention Program, King County
Hazel Brown
Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Alliance For Gun Responsibility
The aim of this workshop was to educate participants on the prevalence of suicides that occur from gun violence – a uniquely American epidemic robbing the lives of over 45,000 citizens each year.
To get involved with the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) or learn more about its annual conference and other year-round events and resources, visit: namiwa.org.