Suicide prevention summit being held in St. Augustine, register here

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Retired California Highway Patrol officer and author Kevin Briggs will serve as the keynote speaker at the Zero Suicide St. Johns County Summit on Wednesday in St. Augustine. Organized by Jacksonville-based LSF Health Systems, the public event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Oceanfront, 300 A1A Beach Blvd.

The summit brings together state and community leaders, behavioral health professionals, educators, advocates and individuals with lived experience to discuss suicide prevention solutions. Discussions will focus on the Zero Suicide framework, developed by clinical experts at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center to eliminate suicide by transforming organizational practices, staff training and safety protocols into a proactive, systemic approach.

Dr. Christine Cauffield serves as the CEO of LSF Health Systems and noted the urgent need for local intervention. “Suicide rates in St. Johns County have risen sharply during the last three years, even while rates have fallen across Florida and the U.S.,” Cauffield said. “We’re optimistic about exploring proven methods to address the disturbing trend.” Briggs spent 20 years patrolling San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, using empathy, active listening and a calm presence to talk hundreds of people out of taking their own lives. He detailed those experiences in his co-authored memoir, “Guardian of the Golden Gate: Protecting the Line Between Hope and Despair.” Cauffield said Briggs is expected to bring a unique perspective to the gathering at the event.