In March 2005, a young father found himself on the precipice of the Golden Gate Bridge, contemplating a leap into the abyss.
Kevin Berthia, then a 22-year-old resident of Oakland, California, had reached a point of despair that left him feeling as though he had no other option. The morning of that fateful day, Berthia awoke with a singular resolveto end his life.
He drove to the iconic bridge, leaving his car keys behind, and walked the nearly two-mile expanse, fixated on the cold waters of the San Francisco Bay below. "The water is my freedom. Im ready," he recalled thinking, as reported by People magazine.
According to Western Journal, it was the voice of a California Highway Patrol sergeant that interrupted Berthia's grim determination. Sgt. Kevin Briggs, who would later earn the moniker "guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge," approached Berthia with a gentle greeting. "Hi," Briggs said, "Is it okay if I come over and speak with you for a while? Im not going to touch you. Im just here to talk with you and to listen." For the next 90 minutes, Briggs listened intently as Berthia divulged his "deepest, darkest secrets." This encounter marked the beginning of Berthia's journey back from the brink, as he eventually climbed back over the rail and was taken to a hospital to start his recovery.
The path to healing was not straightforward for Berthia, who endured nearly a decade of further depression. However, a significant moment came in 2013 when the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention honored Briggs. Berthia was invited to New York to present the award, finally meeting the officer who had saved his life. "Weve been friends ever since," Briggs, now retired, remarked. Berthia describes their bond as being "more like brothers." Reflecting on their initial encounter, Berthia emphasized, "What happened that day had nothing to do with him being a white man and me being black. Its all about the power of connection, human connection."
Today, Berthia and Briggs travel the nation, sharing their story at conferences focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Briggs, through his personal website, articulates his mission "to promote suicide prevention and mental health awareness by breaking the prejudice and discrimination associated with them." Berthia, now 42, offers a message of hope to audiences, stating, "Never in a million years did I think that my living in this dark place could help others."
Their story underscores the profound impact of human connection and the importance of addressing mental health issues with compassion and understanding. As they continue to advocate for awareness and prevention, Berthia and Briggs exemplify the transformative power of empathy and the enduring strength of friendship forged in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Login