Military Suicide Prevention
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 20-22 Veterans per day die from suicide. This is one loss every 65 minutes, totaling 8,030 deaths per year, nearly 20 percent of all suicides in the United States. Suicide prevention remains a top priority and the efforts to reduce deaths by suicide among its service members will continue to grow daily. Lets help put an end to Veteran suicide in our nation through our  education, research, resource provision, and community collaborations. 

General (Ret.) Mark and Carol Graham

THE  Grahams have dedicated their lives to sharing their story losing both sons to different types of battles in order to spread Mental Health Awareness. An extraordinary and inspiring story to help all communities nationwide.
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Yochi Dreazen, an award-winning journalist who has covered the military since 2003, has been granted remarkable access to the Graham family and tells their story in the full context of two of America's longest wars. The Grahams work to change how the Army treats those with PTSD and to erase the stigma that prevents suicidal troops from getting the help they need before making the darkest of choices. Their fight offers a window into the military's institutional shortcomings and its resistance to change. With great sympathy and profound insight, The Invisible Front details America's problematic treatment of the troops who return from war far different than when they'd left and uses the Graham family's work as a new way of understanding the human cost of war and its lingering effects off the battlefield. This vital book is a stirring call for action to better aid American soldiers who struggle alone with depression - and civilians who suffer from our most stigmatized disease as well.

Col. Charles Hoge 
A nationally-known expert & author on the issues facing 
our nation's veterans & service members such as PTSD, TBI and other psychological reactions to war. Dr. Hoge is author of the best-selling book on PTSD and other issues facing veterans:
 
Once a Warrior,  
Always a Warrior.

"Dr. Hoge possesses the rare gift of being able to translate the science from published research into the language of the warrior...should be required reading for mental health professionals... it will help them strike the right chord with those they serve, even if they have not walked in their boots." 
An engaging speaker, Dr. Hoge is frequently called upon to offer his analyses of war-related mental health issues. Over the years, he has testified before the U.S. Senate (Armed Services Committee) and the House of Representatives (VA Committee.)

Navigating the transition from combat to home.  In this ground-breaking book, Dr. Charles Hoge explains how transitioning home from combat requires learning how to dial up or down the warrior responses, depending on the circumstances.  What medical professionals label as symptoms are, in fact, valuable combat survival skills, skills that may also be useful in civilian life. Once a Warrior - Always a Warrior explains how a warrior's knowledge and skills are vital for living at peace in an insane world.
  
Kevin Berthia
is the most gracious, easy-to-smile, grateful person we know. 

Kevin lost sight of gratitude in 2005 when he attempted to take his life at The Golden Gate Bridge. After jumping the railing, he stood on a narrow 4" cord about 220 feet in the air. 

For 96 minutes, with nothing to stop him from falling except a listening ear, with his head pressed to the Golden Gate's rust
-colored tower and the heels of his shoes resting on nothing but air, Kevin spoke with a first responder who eventually talked him back 
over the railing. Since, he has presented his story of hope on THE IMPACT OF LISTENING to national audiences and has been featured by multiple media outlets. The photo of Kevin standing on the cord was front page of the San Francisco Chronicle, placed on the 75 most iconic photos of the 21st Century, and has since gone viral on social media. Kevin believes that 
depression may be a part of you, but it is not who you are.
Kevin Briggs
Sgt. Kevin Briggs was the patrol officer whose compassionate voice and listening ear prevented Kevin Berthia from taking his own life at the Golden Gate Bridge 10 years ago. The two talked for 60 life-changing minutes before Berthia decided to climb back up the bridge and give life another chance. Briggs is called the "Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge" and has saved hundreds of lives, spending up to 7 hours talking on the scene to bring a suicide  attempter  back over the rail. 

In Guardian of the Golden Gate, Briggs shares his experiences with the help of people who credit their lives to him. His inspiring story will help shine a light on a killer that lurks in the darkness and show readers signs to look for and the value of hope. You will gain insight into this steadfast hero that will allow you to see why he's known as the Golden Gate's guardian. Kevin Briggs aims to promote mental illness awareness and ultimately break the stigmas associated with it. By reading this book, you join him in that pursuit. Suicide is preventable. There is hope. There is help.

 For all questions for your 2017 Bookings,
Please Contact: Phyllis Parsons
The Parsons Company, Inc.
925-934-5300