Kevin Briggs and Kevin Berthia. Photo courtesy of Fotolanthropy.
Grant Halliburton Foundation announces the annual Beacon of Hope Luncheon with suicide awareness advocates Kevin Berthia and Kevin Briggs on Friday, April 19 at the Omni Dallas Hotel.
Featured speakers for the event include suicide prevention advocate and survivor Kevin Berthia, along with California Highway Patrolman and author Kevin Briggs. The luncheon serves as a platform to back the foundation’s efforts in offering education, resources, and support for mental health in children, teens, and young adults.
Operating in North Texas schools and communities, the Grant Halliburton Foundation seeks to alter the narrative surrounding adolescent mental health and suicide prevention by promoting awareness and understanding.
“We invite you to join us for a conversation with these two ‘Kevins’ who speak very candidly and openly about how they met on the Golden Gate Bridge when one tried to take his life,” Kevin Hall, president of Grant Halliburton Foundation, said. “Their message of hope and healing is powerful, and we hope that it will inspire you to open up to others struggling with thoughts of suicide.”
The luncheon invites attendees to engage in a conversation with the two Kevins, who openly share their experiences, including a pivotal moment on the Golden Gate Bridge during a suicide attempt by Berthia. Briggs, dubbed the “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge,” has prevented over 200 suicides on the bridge including Berthia’s. A photographer nearby captured the moment and the photo was globally shared.
Their inspirational true story will be profiled in 92 Minutes, a feature documentary in production by Dallas-based film nonprofit Fotolanthropy, whose films have been featured on Netflix and beyond.
According to the CDC, suicide ranks as the second-leading cause of death among Texas youth ages 10-24.
The 2023 Beacon of Hope presenting sponsor is Emily Lewis with Natalie Hatchett and Courtney Hubbard serving as co-chairs. Vice co-chairs include Chris and Brent Bolding, and the founding luncheon chair is Barb Farmer.
The foundation, supported by funds raised through the Beacon of Hope Luncheon, has delivered mental health training and support to nearly 325,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals.
