On Monday, the Newtown massacre’s one-month anniversary, a group of parents of Newtown victims and surviving students unveiled a new initiative to tackle gun violence and mental illness in the United States. Grieving parents Nicole Hockley and Jeremy Richman, as well as the group’s co-founder, Tim Makris, described the Sandy Hook Promise as an effort to spark a national conversation on how to prevent future tragedies.

Nicole Hockley, mother of victim Dylan Hockley: “I do not want to be someone sharing my experience and consoling another parent next time. I do not want there to be a next time. The Sandy Hook Promise is the start of our change.”

Jeremy Richman, father of victim Avielle Richman: “We need to face and take action on hard issues. There is not going to be one simple solution. But we feel it is essential to get a deeper understanding of mental health in terms of research, education and policy.”

Tim Makris, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise: “When you look at what’s been done in the past, it hasn’t gotten us very far. We have to do something different. And we believe a national discussion, putting aside preconceived notions, will have us move forward as a nation.”