Suicide 1: Beyond the Bridge

We open Season 2 of Last Day with a tale of two Kevins. One is Sergeant Kevin Briggs, also known as the guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge. The other is Kevin Berthia, an Oakland native who drove to that bridge on March 11, 2005 with the intent of ending his life. This week, we tell the larger story behind a moment of intervention — what led up to it and what happened in the 15 years since. We’re also joined by Courtney Knowles, our advisor at the Jed Foundation, who’s here to poke holes in our narrative.

Season 2 of Last Day is created in partnership with The Jed Foundation. The Jed Foundation (JED) empowers teens and young adults with the skills and support to grow into healthy, thriving adults. You can find tips, tools and resources for taking care of your emotional health available at: www.jedcares.org/lastday

Resources from the episode:

• Kevin Berthia has a new foundation! Check it out here.
• Kevin Briggs can be booked to speak about crisis management and suicide prevention through Pivotal Points.
• To learn more about recommendations for reporting on suicide, visit https://reportingonsuicide.org/

If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or feeling hopeless, it’s important to talk to someone about it now. Contact one of the resources below for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor anytime.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text line: Text “Connect” to 741-741

The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386

Support the show by checking out our sponsors:

• The Jane Club is a community for women, mothers, and caretakers. Their all-inclusive virtual membership, the Connected Jane, offers daily meditations, fitness classes, community check-in’s and evening social gatherings for only $50 per month. Head to janeclub.com and use the code INSIDER JANE FF for $10 off your first month.
• What you put on your face matters. True Botanicals is MADE SAFE® certified - meaning they are made without toxic ingredients. Try them for yourself! Head to truebotanicals.com/lastday to get 15% off your first purchase.
• Look no further than Rothys for a shoe that’s all about comfort and sustainability. They’re knit from repurposed plastic water bottles - and they’re machine washable! Head to rothys.com/lastday to check them out.

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