Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Awareness: Lessons from Kevin Briggs, Guardian of the Golden Gate

Retired California Highway Patrol officer Kevin Briggs, often called “The Guardian of the Golden Gate”, has been on the frontlines of suicide prevention for decades. In this powerful conversation, Kevin shares his personal battle with depression and PTSD, the lessons he learned from speaking with hundreds of people on the Golden Gate Bridge, and how listening, empathy, and hope can truly save lives.

Kevin’s story reminds us that while medications and therapy can help, sometimes what people need most is someone who will simply listen. He explains why stopping medication without medical advice can be dangerous, the most common reasons people reach crisis points, and how families and friends can better support loved ones struggling with mental illness.

This episode is about courage—both in facing our own mental health struggles and in being present for others when the stakes are life or death.

Primary Topics Covered:

• Kevin Briggs’ personal struggle with depression and PTSD
• His role as a suicide prevention officer on the Golden Gate Bridge
• Why listening and empathy are essential tools in suicide prevention
• The dangers of stopping psychiatric medication without medical guidance
• Common triggers for suicidal ideation (relationships, finances, untreated illness)
• How to find the right therapist or support system
• The emotional toll of suicide prevention work—and how Kevin takes care of his own mental health

Timestamps:

00:10 – Introduction to the podcast and mission
 01:00 – Kevin Briggs’ background as an Army veteran and officer
 02:19 – Early misconceptions about mental illness
 03:13 – Kevin’s depression diagnosis and what changed his perspective
 04:09 – Becoming known as the “Guardian of the Golden Gate”
 05:24 – Why finding the right therapist matters
 06:02 – The power of listening before crisis escalates
 07:01 – Common reasons people reach suicidal crisis points
 07:24 – Why stopping medication suddenly can be dangerous
 08:16 – What helped most during crisis conversations
 08:51 – What didn’t help—and lessons learned
 09:58 – The emotional toll of prevention work and coping with loss
 11:11 – Kevin’s own mental health care and self-care practices
 12:22 – The importance of courageous conversations about depression
 13:22 – Call to action: speak up if you’re hurting, listen up if someone else is

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