Stopping Suicide Before It Happens: Conversations That Save Lives

What does it take to talk someone back from the edge of suicide? In this powerful episode, we hear from Kevin Briggs, retired California Highway Patrol officer known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate, who has spent countless hours having life-or-death conversations with people standing on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Kevin opens up about his own struggles with depression and PTSD, how empathy—not authority—made him effective in helping others, and why slowing down and truly listening can be lifesaving. Terry and Anita reflect on the importance of upstream prevention, the role of connection in healing, and the reminder that help is always available—even before a crisis point.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please know: you are not alone. Help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Primary Topics Covered

• Kevin Briggs’ journey from military and law enforcement to mental health advocacy
• How stigma shaped his early views on depression and what changed his perspective
• The toll of untreated depression and PTSD
• Lessons from conversations with more than 200 people contemplating suicide
• Why empathy, patience, and slowing down matter in crisis conversations
• The importance of staying on medication and seeking the right therapist
• Upstream prevention: asking for and offering help before crisis hits
• Terry and Anita’s reflections on breaking stigma and the power of human connection

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction and welcome
 01:11 - Why Suicide Prevention Awareness Month matters
 01:37 - Introducing Kevin Briggs and his courageous conversations
 02:24 - Kevin’s background: military, law enforcement, and “macho” culture
 02:38 - Early stigma: believing mental illness was weakness
 02:59 - How depression impacted his life outside of work
 03:37 - Diagnosis through the PHQ-9 and learning depression is real
 04:25 - Accepting help and hope in recovery
 04:37 - The nickname “Guardian of the Golden Gate”
 05:05 - Guiding more than 200 people off the Golden Gate Bridge
 06:05 - Finding the right therapist and medication support
 06:40 - Why simply listening is often lifesaving
 07:06 - Common triggers: financial stress, relationships, lack of access to care
 07:41 - The danger of stopping medication suddenly
 08:10 - Why dignity matters: people choosing to step back themselves
 08:52 - The power of empathy over credentials
 09:27 - What didn’t help: talking too fast and not slowing down
 10:23 - Coping with the emotional toll of this work
 11:01 - How Kevin cares for his own mental health (family, pets, medication)
 12:16 - Reflections on upstream prevention and breaking stigma
 13:40 - Making tough conversations safer and more common
 14:16 - Reminder: call 988 in the U.S. if you need support
 15:11 - Closing reflections and encouragement

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