Heroes of the Golden Gate: Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs

Listening to Understand the Mental Health Crisis



Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs are an unlikely pair. But their friendship saves lives. And it was hard won, founded on what matters – mutual respect, trust, and listening. They met when Sergeant Briggs was in the state highway patrol and Kevin Berthia was jumping off a bridge. Today they stand side by side as suicide prevention advocates, helping people know they’re not alone, that there is hope and a future. It’s been many years now since they met and we are honored to be part of their ongoing conversation. 


If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call or text 988. Or chat online at 988lifeline.org 


“I want to be a sounding board. The big thing is — this is a crisis. So I’m not going to try to fix anything. But I can certainly sit there and listen.”

Sergeant Kevin Briggs, California Highway Patrol

“I was given his life because I can live it. Something about who I am can handle all of this because I genuinely want people not to feel alone.”

Kevin Berthia, Suicide Survivor and Prevention Advocate

“I want to be a sounding board. The big thing is — this is a crisis. So I’m not going to try to fix anything. But I can certainly sit there and listen.”

Sergeant Kevin Briggs, California Highway Patrol

“I was given his life because I can live it. Something about who I am can handle all of this because I genuinely want people not to feel alone.”

Kevin Berthia, Suicide Survivor and Prevention Advocate

Two men are hugging each other in the rain.
Two men are posing for a picture in front of the golden gate bridge.

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Thanks

Hosted and executive-produced by Kate Tucker, Hope Is My Middle Name is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.


This episode was produced by Christine Fennessy with editing from Rachel Swaby. Sound design and mixing from Mark Bush. Music from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe, and Kate Tucker. Big thanks to Conor Gaughan, publisher and CEO of Consensus Digital Media.