Kevin Briggs has stood, sometimes for hours late at night, in the freezing cold mist on the Golden Gate Bridge. The routine became all-too familiar for Kevin. Talking to someone who had climbed the barrier of San Francisco's iconic bridge and who was about to jump to the choppy waters below. With no formal training in negotiation, or how to handle depression or suicide, he would carefully navigate conversations with these individuals who stood there in the wind at the lowest point in their life. What's remarkable about Kevin story, is how effective him just listening to these people was. Over his career he talked approximately 600 people down from the bridge, and sadly lost two.
In this interview, Kevin tells me about the people he encountered and what brought them to the bridge. We also talk about the effect this kind of work has had on him, and what advice he has to others who are feeling suicidal, or know someone who is.
In this interview, we talk about people who were suffering in the depths of depression, and some people may find parts upsetting. If you are affected by depression or suicide, please talk to someone. You can start by checking out one of these links below. There will be someone like Kevin there to listen to you, and help you with what you are going through.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/
https://mentalhealth.org.nz/conditions/condition/suicide-coping-with-suicidal-thoughts