After every mass shooting in America we see polarizing viewpoints on gun violence and mental health. Is mental health to blame or are guns?  After having strong reactions to Alex Woytkiw’s tweets on the subject, Taylor invites him on the pod to get a better understanding on what being a “gun loving American” means to him.  Taylor and Kitt discuss the research on gun violence and mental health and wonder where we can all meet in the middle to help save innocent lives.  Mindful Man’s (Kitt Bender) meditation at the end of this episode was more than necessary. 

RESOURCES 

Psychology Today

Mental Illness, Mass Shootings, and the Politics of American Firearms 

Mass Shootings and Mental Illness 

Access to Guns and Suicide

APA Panel of Experts

Gun Legislation and Mental Health

Fact Checking Parkland Gun Violence