Mental Illness and Gun Violence Community Conference

Tragic events like the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School and Aurora, Colorado have left public officials and mental health researchers wondering what is the role of mental illness in gun violence?

In response, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Fuller Theological Seminary is hosting a community-wide conference on Monday, February 11 titled “Facing the Crisis: Mental Illness and Gun Violence.”

The conference, which brings together community leaders and mental health officials, seeks to answer questions like “What are our leaders and institutions doing to prevent future Sandy Hooks and similar tragedies in our community?”

Speakers at the event include: Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Eric Walsh, Pasadena Unified Schools Director of Child Welfare and Safety Eric Sahakian, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Marvin J. Southard.

Fuller’s School of Psychology Dean Dr. Winston Gooden and the TRI Center for Research Director Dr. Cynthia Erickson will also be speaking. Fuller's HR department will be delivering a short report on what the local higher education community (Art Center, Cal Tech, Fuller, PCC, etc.) is doing to prevent gun violence.

The event is open to the public, but seating is limited.

The conference is co-sponsored by All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena Mental Health Advisory Committee, and Peace Over Violence.

For more information and registration, email tri@fuller.edu.