Top TED Talks | Kevin Briggs: The Bridge Between Suicide and Life | WWSG

Summary

A retired California Highway Patrol officer shares his experiences with the Golden Gate Bridge, a notorious suicide site. He describes the lethal impact of jumping and the emotional toll on officers. The officer emphasizes the importance of listening and understanding those contemplating suicide, and the critical role of intervention. He recounts personal stories, including a successful rescue and tragic losses, highlighting the preventability of suicide and the power of hope.

Takeaways

• 🚔 The speaker is a retired California Highway Patrol officer who spent most of his 23-year career patrolling the area including the Golden Gate Bridge.
• 🌉 The Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic structure known for its beauty and architecture but is also infamous for being a popular site for suicides.
• 🗣️ Despite the bridge's designer claiming it was 'suicide proof', over 1,600 people have jumped to their death from it since its opening in 1937.
• 💀 The reality of jumping from the bridge is gruesome, with individuals often dying from the impact or drowning if they survive the fall.
• 🌁 There's a misconception that jumping from the bridge leads to a peaceful end, which is far from the truth.
• 👮‍♂️ The speaker emphasizes the importance of intervention and communication with individuals contemplating suicide at the bridge.
• 👨‍🏫 Training for officers has improved significantly over the years to better handle and prevent suicides at the bridge.
• 📖 The story of Pandora's Box is used as a metaphor to discuss the complexity of suicide and the importance of hope.
• 📧 The impact of suicide is far-reaching, affecting families, friends, and even officers who try to prevent these tragedies.
• 👂 Listening and understanding are crucial when someone is suicidal; arguing or telling them how they feel is not helpful.
• 🔁 Most people who jump and survive report regretting their decision the moment they let go, indicating that suicide is often a momentary impulse.

Q & A

How many years did the speaker serve in the California Highway Patrol?

The speaker served in the California Highway Patrol for 23 years.

Which part of Marin County did the speaker mostly patrol during his service?

The speaker mostly patrolled the southern end of Marin County, including the Golden Gate Bridge.

Why is the Golden Gate Bridge known worldwide?

The Golden Gate Bridge is known worldwide for its beautiful views of San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and its inspiring architecture.

What unfortunate aspect is associated with the Golden Gate Bridge?

The Golden Gate Bridge is a magnet for suicide and is one of the most utilized sites for this purpose in the world.

When did the Golden Gate Bridge open and who was the chief engineer?

The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937, and the chief engineer in charge of building the bridge was Joseph Strauss.

What was Joseph Strauss's quote regarding suicide from the bridge?

Joseph Strauss was quoted as saying the bridge is practically suicide proof, and that suicide from the bridge is neither practical nor probable.

How many people have jumped to their death from the Golden Gate Bridge since its opening?

Since its opening, over 1,600 people have leapt to their death from the Golden Gate Bridge.

What is the physical reality of jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge?

After a free fall of about 4 to 5 seconds, the body strikes the water at about 75 miles per hour, shattering bones and often puncturing vital organs. Most die on impact, and those who don't, generally flail in the water helplessly and then drown.

What training did officers receive when the speaker first started working on the bridge?

When the speaker first started working on the bridge, there was no formal training for officers dealing with suicide calls. Officers had to struggle and fumble their way through these calls.

How has the approach to dealing with suicide calls changed since the speaker's early days on the job?

The approach has significantly improved with veteran officers and psychologists now training new officers on how to handle suicide calls more effectively.

What was the outcome with the young woman the speaker mentioned in the photo?

The speaker and other officers were successful in getting the young woman, who was contemplating her life on the bridge, back over the rail.

What was the name of the man who committed suicide after speaking with the speaker about Pandora's Box?

The man's name was Jason Garber.

What did Kevin Bera decide to do after speaking with the speaker on March 11th, 2005?

Kevin Bera decided to come back over the rail and give life another chance after discussing his depression and hopelessness.

What was the speaker's personal connection to suicide?

The speaker's grandfather committed suicide by poisoning, which was a personal connection to the issue of suicide.

What does the speaker suggest people do if they think someone is suicidal?

The speaker suggests not being afraid to confront the person and ask them directly if they have suicidal thoughts. It's important to listen to understand, not to argue, blame, or tell the person how they should feel.

What are some signs to look for that someone might be suicidal according to the speaker?

Some signs include hopelessness, believing that things are terrible and never going to get better, helplessness, recent social withdrawal, and loss of interest in life.

What did the speaker learn from the majority of people they contacted on the bridge?

The vast majority of people that the speaker and his team contacted on the bridge did not commit suicide, indicating that intervention can be effective.

What did those who survived jumping off the bridge and could talk about it express?

Most of those who jumped off the bridge and survived expressed regret the moment they let go of the rail, indicating they wanted to live.