John O’Leary welcomes Sergeant Kevin Briggs, known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge, to the Live Inspired Podcast to share a genuine and hopeful perspective on suicide prevention and mental health.
Sergeant Kevin Briggs is a retired California Highway Patrol officer known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge. For more than 20 years, Kevin patrolled the Golden Gate Bridge, where he saved more than 200 people from suicide.
Today, Kevin shares how his own battles with abuse, cancer, and depression gave him a unique compassion, and the unforgettable lessons he’s learned from hundreds of conversations with those on the edge of despair. In a world where societal pressures and personal pain can drown out hope, Kevin’s story reminds us that a simple, empathetic presence can rekindle the courage to choose life.
My friends, as suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, this conversation reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there’s light—and a way forward.
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SHOW NOTES:
- At 20 years old while serving for the United States Army in Germany, Kevin was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
- “Things may not be okay, but they’re there to help you through it.” – Kevin on his core group of friends and family that supported him through even the darkest days of his cancer battle.
- After working as for the California Department of Corrections at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, Kevin began working for the California State Highway Patrol. Part of his job was to patrol the Golden Gate Bridge, which is the number one suicide spot in the United States for loss of life.
- When he started, he was untrained at how to handle individuals contemplating suicide. In the hundreds of those he help save, he learned to engage with individuals by finding commonalities, talking about children or pets or thinking about something other than what they’re doing right now. He also learned to not try to fix their situation in that moment.
- “If I wasn’t doing this, who would?”
- Instead of grabbing those who’ve gone over the rail, Kevin wants them to have the courage and make the decision themselves to return.
- Struggling to heal after trauma? Kevin suggests:
- Asking yourself how you’re doing compared to weeks, months or years ago, and to write it down.
- Don’t be afraid to prioritize ourselves.
- If you’re not doing well, don’t be afraid to seek help.
- “Listen. But listen to try to understand.”
- “There are four things we don’t want to say. Things will get better for you, you should…, calm down, and I understand.”
- “Being vulnerable is a giant leap towards healing.”
- Get a copy of Kevin Briggs’ book Guardian of the Golden Gate here.
If you or anyone you love has thoughts of suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
If you want to continue this important conversation, we have an entire playlist dedicated to Suicide Awareness and Prevention. Hear important, life-saving conversations from experts, survivors and those left behind to help us better care for ourselves and those we love. Listen to the Suicide Awareness and Prevention playlist now.
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KEVIN BRIGGS'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. The Bible. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A.Letting my mind go free instead of worrying all the time.
- Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A.Old time mementos including photos and a gold cross my mom left me.
- Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A.Marcus Aurelius.
- Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A.Take your time, slow down and enjoy life.
- Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A.Trust the people that are putting you through this process, and go with the process.
- Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. He was here and provided hope.
