320 FESTIVAL ONLINE TAKING PLACE MAY 8 - MAY 10 VIA KNEKT.TV
320 Festival, a one-of-a-kind festival aimed at changing the way we talk about mental health, has announced the addition of an incredibly important panel to their weekend of programming.
According to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive (GVA), a non-profit that tracks every mass shooting in the country, there were more mass shootings than calendar days (417) in 2019 throughout the United States.
Using data from GVA, VOX published a story earlier this year sharing that there had been only one full calendar week - the week of January 5, 2014 - without a mass shooting.
The ripple effect of these traumas extends far beyond to survivors, families, communities, and the overall nature of our culture.
School children practice Active Shooter Drills and armed security officers guard events and religious gatherings, leading to hyper vigilance, fear, anxiety and secondary trauma.
The Effects of Mass Shootings on the Mental Health of America will be moderated by Laura Hutfless (Co-Founder, FlyteVu), and panelists will include Miles Adcox (CEO Onsite & Advisor, The Onsite Foundation), Crystal Woodman Miller (Survivor, Columbine), Abigail Hurst (Deputy Director of Survivor Advocacy, Everytown Survivor Network) and Pastor Brenda Mitchell (Senior Fellow, Everytown Survivor Network).
These panelists will aim to share the tools and resources that led them to freedom and hope, discuss ways to support communities most affected by these tragedies and share how to live life free from fear.
"It's not 'if' your life will be affected by a mass shooting, but 'when'," FlyteVu Co-Founder Laura Hutfless said. "While much of the response is focused on gun reform, we must acknowledge the emotional affects these tragedies have on us as individuals and as communities and provide tools and resources to cope."
Miles Adcox (CEO Onsite & Advisor, The Onsite Foundation) said, "I am honored to be a part of this necessary and often overlooked conversation on the effects of mass shootings on our mental health. Beyond the direct effects on survivors, it seems like we can't pick up our phones or turn on our televisions these days without hearing a mass shooting or global tragedy."
"Our days -- and our minds -- are filled with catastrophic story after catastrophic story. It's getting harder and harder to combat the despair and silence the voices that seem to be telling us 'there's nothing we can do' and 'the world is dark and hopeless.' But I believe there is something we can do and want to strengthen our collective hope and resilience in a world that desperately needs it."
"I am grateful that the 320 Festival is shining a light on the importance of mental health and honored to join this conversation," Crystal Woodman Miller, Columbine High School shooting survivor, said. "With the alarming increase of mass shootings, far too many individuals, families and institutions have been affected. The good news is, there are tools, resources and practices available to survivors to start the journey toward healing and wholeness."
Kevin Lyman (Founder of the Vans Warped Tour, USC Professor, and CEO of the Kevin Lyman Group and Unite the United) and Talinda Bennington (Co-Founder of 320 Changes Direction) will be bringing 320 Festival ONLINEnext month.
In partnership with KNEKT.TV, people from all around the world can tune in on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and the KNEKT.TV Network on Roku and Apple TV to join the conversation through educational sessions, musical performances, workshops and more May 8 - 10.
The virtual event is free and open for all to join and participate. RSVPs for the 320 Festival are now open at bit.ly/320FestRSVP.
"The idea for 320 was born out of my personal experience and the recognition that we can do better to address the needs of those who are suffering with mental health concerns and addiction," Talinda Bennington said.
Bennington created 320 Changes Direction in honor of her late husband, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park.
Bennington said, "We need to change the culture of mental health so that those in need - and their family members - are able to speak openly about their struggles so that they can seek the care they deserve."
Kevin Lyman said, "In times of adversity, it has always been about adapting and we are glad we were able to work with KNEKT.TV to bring the 320 Festival online."
Kent Speakman of KNEKT.TV said, "KNEKT.TV was born out of a vision and commitment to provide the world with accessible viewing, positive connections and content that matters. There has never been a more significant time to bring this technology to support humanity. It is an honor to be part of this historic moment when wellness, finance and isolation add critical significance to all aspects of mental health."
The 320 Festival ONLINE will feature over 40 non-profit partners providing resources, Mindfulness Daybreaks, and live performances from artists including Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October, Lindsey Stirling, Art Alexakis of Everclear, Social House, Bruce Wiegner, Dylan Dunlap, Elohim, Evaride, Frank Zummo of Sum 41, Gnash, Holy Wars, Moontower, Rouxx and more.The Educational Sessions will feature discussions surrounding topics like Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health, Social Media: The Age of Anxiety, Coping and Thriving After Trauma, The Psyche of Sports: Lessons Learned On and Off the Court, Prevention Resources: Learn the 5 Signs and How to Help, Criminalizing Mental Illness: America's Shame, Hope for the Day's Things We Don't Say Workshop, Music's Effects on Mental Health and Addiction, Being an Activist and a Creative: How to Channel Both of Your Passions to Impact Your Community, Mental Health + The Education System, Living with Addiction, Mental Health In The Workplace and more.
Panelists and speakers include Jason Flom (CEO of Lava Records and criminal justice advocate), Justin Brooks (Director of the California Innocence Project), Tara Conner (Miss USA 2006), Erin Raftery Ryan (Executive Director, NAMI, Westside LA), Tiffany Jenkins (Juggling with the Jenkins), DJ Nash (Executive Producer of "a million little things"), Bob Fitzgerald (Television Play-by-Play Broadcaster of the Golden State Warriors), Torri Shack (Executive Director / Founder of Tangible Movements), Justin Furstenfeld (Lead Singer of Blue October), Wesley Geer (Founder of Rock To Recovery, Founding Member of Hed PE, Touring Member of Korn), Greg Williams (Filmmaker, "The Anonymous People" and "Generation Found"), Brian Mackenzie (Breathing Coach, Founder & Creative Director at Power Speed Endurance, Co-Founder & Creative Director for MyState, LLC, President & Co-Founder of Health and Human Performance Foundation), Nazanin Mandi (Actress, Model & Singer), Jennifer Gimenez (Model, Actress, TV Personality, Addiction Specialist & Speaker), Gabe Escobar (Tik Tok Influencer & Mental Health Advocate), Paul Zak, PhD, Jamie Tworkowski (Founder of TWLOHA), Jonny Boucher (Founder + CEO of Hope for the Day and Sip of Hope), Richard "Wolfie" Wolf (Author of "Tune In: Music as the Bridge to Mindfulness", Emmy Award-winning Composer, Multi-Platinum Selling Producer, CEO of Producers Lab, Inc., USC Adjunct Professor), Joel Rivas (CEO and Founder of Saint City Culinary Foundation), LJ Malberg (Founder & President Compassionate Muse), Christmas Bacos (Sr. Director of Workplace Mental Health, HFTD), James Kinney (VP, People of Advertising Agency & Co-Founder of Disrupt HR LA) and more.
For more information on 320 Festival Online, please head to 320Festival.com.
