The Tactical Debrief with Dr. Massimino
The Tactical Debrief podcast
(Formerly The Staff Assistant Podcast) is designed to assist and educate public safety personnel about mental health issues and managing work-related stress. Dr. Massimino is a licensed clinical psychologist who works within a large law enforcement agency and treats first responders in her private practice.
Each episode is designed to mimic an intake session - giving you an inside look into what meeting with a therapist would look like - through the eyes of other first responders. The goal of The Tactical Debrief podcast is to normalize therapy for law enforcement and first responders, and to reduce the suicide rate for this population.
The Tactical Debrief with Dr. Massimino
Episode 43: CHP Sgt. Kevin Briggs
In this episode, we interview retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Briggs. Kevin has been dubbed, “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge” because of his work preventing suicides for over a decade while on patrol for the CHP in Marin County.
Kevin is the first male guest to broach a very sensitive subject and discusses being sexually abused from age 8 to 10 by an adult male neighbor. He joined the US Army at age 18, attending jump school but due to a diagnosis of testicular cancer at age 20, was honorably discharged. He worked as a correctional officer for the California Department of Corrections from 1987-1990, working at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad and San Quentin State Prison. At the urging of a co-worker, Kevin applied with CHP and finished his career with CHP, working from 1990-2013.
Kevin discusses his transition into retirement, his experience going to therapy, and his own family history of suicide. Kevin is currently active on the public speaker circuit, has been featured on a TED talk, and speaks at events internationally about suicide prevention.