Continuing Education

Firearms and Mental Health

Promoting Trust and Building Competence with Clients

Mental Health Education

About The Course

Course Title: Firearms and Mental Health

Learning Method: Record asynchronous distance (non-interactive). This course includes a recorded video and access to the presented resources.

Amount of CE Credit Offered: 1 credit (general). ASWB ACE and NBCC.

Fees: This course can be purchased individually for $25 or as part of an annual unlimited continuing education subscription available for $99/year.

Posttest: Following the course, the participant will take a 10 question posttest. A score of 70% correct is required to pass and obtain a certificate. If you do not pass the posttest, it can be re-taken after fully reviewing the materials again.

Certificate of Completion: In order to receive a certificate of completion, you must indicate that you’ve watched the entire video portion of the course, earn a passing grade on the test, and complete the requested course evaluation.

Description of the Course:

Why is understanding this topic important?

1. Building Trust and Rapport with Clients:

For mental health professionals, having basic knowledge of firearms shows respect for clients’ lifestyles and values, especially for those who are gun owners. This understanding can help break down barriers, making clients feel more understood and willing to discuss firearm-related concerns or safety measures openly.

2. Enhancing Safety and Risk Assessment:

Understanding different types and styles of firearms enables mental health professionals to make more accurate assessments of risk in situations where firearms are present. This knowledge allows them to ask informed, relevant questions that support safety planning in cases of potential harm or crisis.

3. Promoting Informed, Productive Public Discourse:

In broader societal discussions, understanding firearms helps counteract stereotypes, misinformation, and stigma. Educated discussions on firearms and mental health can reduce misunderstandings and promote balanced, fact-based conversations, which is especially crucial for policymakers, community leaders, and advocates aiming for effective mental health and gun safety solutions.

Learning Objectives:

Identify Common Misconceptions: By the end of this conversation, students will be able to identify at least three common misconceptions about firearm ownership and mental health, enabling them to approach discussions on this topic with greater accuracy and empathy.
Apply Risk Assessment Strategies: Students will learn and be able to apply at least two strategies for discussing firearm safety with clients in a nonjudgmental way, which can enhance their ability to conduct thorough and respectful risk assessments.
Demonstrate Cultural Competency in Client Interactions: Students will develop an understanding of how cultural attitudes toward firearms vary and be able to demonstrate culturally sensitive communication skills when discussing firearms with clients from diverse backgrounds, fostering stronger therapeutic alliances and reducing potential stigma.

Target Audience:

Mental health professionals and Masters and Clinical level licensees pursuing continuing education.

Content Level:

Both beginning and intermediate-level content are included in this course.

Instructor Bio(s):

Meagan Mitchell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been providing individualized and group instruction for over 8 years.

Meagan Mitchell, LICSW, is currently a Child and Adolescent Therapist and owner of Brain Space Wellness. She is working towards her Play Therapy credential. Meagan is also the founder of Agents of Change Social Work Test Prep – a learning platform and community designed for social workers preparing for their licensing exams.

She loves combining her passion for learning and sharing her knowledge with the social work community. Meagan has a strong interest in tech & and innovation, specifically exploring the intersection of technology with social work practices. She is also passionate about multicultural supervision & and ethics; ensuring diverse voices are heard, understood, and supported in supervision and consultation.

Lastly, Meagan is currently a DSW student at SUNY Buffalo.

Andrew Nett, LCSW

Andrew is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a demonstrated history working in the mental healthcare industry. He has provided care for in-patient and outpatient settings and has experience working with children, adults, couples, and groups. Andrew is skilled in treating mental health and substance abuse through a variety of interventions and modalities.

Bringing clinical expertise to the workplace, Andrew currently works for Delta Defense. Providing individual and group coaching to all employees on personal and professional needs. Delta utilizes Andrew as a culture trainer, teaching new employees necessary emotional intelligence skills. Andrew also serves Delta by facilitating sessions with teams to resolve conflict and improve collaboration so the organization can more effectively serve customers.

Jake Wiskerchen, MFT, Counselor, and Owner of Zephyr Wellness

Jake has helped people struggling with all types of issues and has been trained in a variety of methodologies and theories. Prior to founding Zephyr Wellness, he gained experience working for six different mental health agencies, three colleges, two school districts, Washoe County Adult Drug Court, and a psychiatric inpatient hospital.

Jake has done work both in-home and in-office and enjoys teaching, consulting, and training as much as he does one-on-one psychotherapy. In addition to his degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, he also holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and consults on accreditation surveys for multiple universities.

Jake has given talks and trainings to many groups including the Nevada Bar Association, Northern Nevada Law Enforcement Academy (POST), Nevada State Civil Attorneys Association, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce, University of Nevada, Washoe County School District, Nevada School Counselors Association, and the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Course Outline:

1) Introduction and Importance of the Topic

Overview of why discussing firearms is essential for mental health professionals.
Introductions of speakers, their expertise, and their experiences in mental health and firearm-related work.
Acknowledgment of common discomfort or bias among clinicians regarding firearms.

2) Cultural Humility and Misconceptions

Explanation of cultural humility and its role in client rapport.
Addressing misconceptions about firearm ownership (e.g., firearm owners as a minority).
Discussion on the diversity within firearm-owning communities and avoiding assumptions.

3) Assessing Risk and Enhancing Safety

Guidelines for clinicians on when and how to discuss firearms, particularly in crisis or suicidal contexts.
Emphasis on “responsible storage” rather than simply “safety.”
Practical advice for clinicians on crafting sensitive, effective safety plans with clients.

4) Building Clinician Confidence and Comfort

Suggestions for clinicians without firearm experience to build competence (e.g., cultural competence courses, respectful inquiry).
The value of open-minded curiosity when clients educate clinicians about firearm ownership.
Encouraging self-reflection to recognize and address biases to improve client interactions.

5) Resources and Continuing Education

Overview of recommended resources, including cultural competence courses and literature.
Importance of learning about local laws related to firearms and mental health.
Encouragement to seek further education on bridging the gap between mental health and firearms for better client outcomes.

Course Creation Date: 11/13/24

Requesting Accessibility Accommodations:

Please email [email protected] to request accessibility accommodations.

System Requirements:

The most recent version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge browser
Javascript enabled
PDF plugin
Graphic and audio output capability
Broadband internet connection with a minimum speed of 5Mbps (recommended)
TLS 1.2 supported by your web browser

Refund Policy: In general, refunds will not be provided. However, if you do have any concerns or grievances, please contact us at the email address below. Registrants who do not complete their course(s) will not receive a refund. Registrants who purchased the course but did not achieve a passing grade will not receive a refund. The Agents of Change Grievance Policy can be viewed here.

Cancellation Policy: If an Agents of Change Continuing Education course is canceled, a full refund will be provided to all participants.

Please email [email protected] with any questions about the course.

Agents of Change is Approved by ACE

Agents of Change, #1919, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 7/26/2023 – 7/26/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 continuing education credit.

Agents of Change is Approved by NBCC

Agents of Change has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7620. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Agents of Change is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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Your Continuing Education Includes

Audio + Visual Content

We design our continuing education to support all learning styles. Each topic includes engaging videos and visual slides. With your purchase, you also get access to on-the-go audio resources.

High Quality Materials

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With your purchase, you'll be invited to the Agents of Change community, a supporting skill building environment. You'll also have access to the Agents of Change team for any questions!