Former Golden Gate Bridge Patrol Sergeant speaks at Houston virtual event about suicide prevention

"Once the person is on the bridge and in their darkest time, it is very hard to bring them back. In my experience, it's not just the talking you do, but the listening. You may be the turning point they need."
- Kevin Briggs, Retired California Patrol Sergeant who patrolled the Golden Gate Bridge

Sergeant Kevin Briggs has saved hundreds who were on the brink of suicide at San Francisco's iconic structure. Known as the “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge,” his experience provides insightful stories and a perspective forged from many encounters with those ready to end their lives.

As part of National Suicide Prevention Month, we're happy to provide a zoom interviews with Sergeant Briggs as well as Jon Stevens, MD, MP, Director of Outpatient Services at Menninger Clinic who has experience with treating issues, like anxiety and hopelessness, that can lead to suicide.

National Suicide Prevention Week, which runs from September 6-12 and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10. In addition, there's a free virtual event presented by Menninger Clinic on Wednesday, September 16 that's open to the public and centers around the actions we can all take to step in and prevent suicide:

Build a Bridge for Living
Wednesday, September 16
12-1 p.m. (CDT)
To register for the free virtual event:
https://menningerclinic.zoom.us/webinar/register/4615971560031/WN_rYfX95O9QoyAoJxMvjJiuQ?fbclid=IwAR29X51dBs1BgwFuYc8INwobqEbC_hq33SkeqQRVJYIsa7EeyaaOea5PzEw

Kevin Briggs will speak at this event about how to help save someone whose hopelessness and despair are leading them toward a suicidal crisis.

According to WHO, close to 800 000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. Add in the stress, anxiety, and depression from stay-at-home orders, job losses, and social separation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and it's no wonder that mental health is being affected. In fact, the National Alliance on Mental Illness HelpLine has seen a 65 percent increase in calls and emails since March, according to the organization, though it is not a crisis hotline.

Given these uncertain times, we know this is an important time to highlight the warning signs of suicide and learn from Sergeant Briggs's vast experience of talking people back to safety as well as from Jon Stevens, MD, MPH, Chief of Outpatient Services at Menninger Clinic expertise in recognizing the signs that lead to suicide.

12301 S Main Street
Houston, TX 77035

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About The Menninger Clinic – https://www.menningerclinic.org/
The Menninger Clinic has 95 years of experience diagnosing and treating people with mental illness. Highly trained teams of mental health experts provide a supportive, healing environment coupled with evidence-based treatments that are effective and programs that strengthen skills for making changes in their life that last. Research outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness of Menninger’s specialty programs. Menninger is a private teaching hospital of Baylor College of Medicine’s Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and is a member institution in the Texas Medical Center.

This release was published on openPR.