Kevin Berthia & 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. 

Learn more about Kevin Berthia and his work at kevinberthiafoundation.org

And Kevin Briggs at pivotal-points.com

Find Kate on instagram.com/katetuckermusic

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

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

Warning Signs of Suicide

• Talking about wanting to die 

• Looking for a way to kill oneself 

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose 

• Talking about feeling trapped or unbearable pain 

• Talking about being a burden to others 

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs 

• Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly 

• Sleeping too little or too much 

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated 

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge 

• Displaying extreme mood swings

What to Do

• Do not leave the person alone

• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs, or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt

• Call or text 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional emergency room, or seek help from a medical or mental health professional