W E H AV E G O O D N E W S
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A Study Shows You Can Fully Recover From Anxiety Disorders
Veterans Find Support Through A Private Facebook Group
Good news for people with anxiety disorders: A large study
Frank Grun quit his Air Force job five years before he qual-
of 21,000 people out of the University of Toronto shows
ified for a full pension because of the toll the job was tak-
that many people will not have anxiety for their entire lives
ing on him. He witnessed his colleagues drinking, getting
and will recover fully. Generalized anxiety disorder is the
divorced, and feeling depressed, and he didn’t want the
most common type of psychiatric condition. People with
same fate. After 15 years serving as a combat rescue crew
generalized anxiety disorder worry excessively for long
member, Grun and his wife moved to Portland, Oregon.
periods, and most days they struggle to control their dis-
But he began to miss the men who served alongside him.
comfort, according to the Anxiety and Depression Associ-
He heard from several military friends that they also
ation of America. Anxiety affects 31 percent of American
were having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. In 2016,
This Police Officer Has Talked More Than 200 People From Jumping Off the Golden Gate Bridge
adults, and it's about twice as common in women than
one member of their friend group died by suicide. To make
Kevin Briggs is the “Guardian of the Golden Gate
men, often going hand in hand with depression.
sense of the loss, Grun started an invitation-only Facebook
Bridge.” For more than 23 years, Briggs worked as a Cal-
group for people who served in combat.
ifornia Highway Patrol officer. Most of his time was
The research team released a paper in January 2020 showing that of respondents with a history of anxiety, 72 percent were in remission, 58 percent were free of mental
“I had only one rule,” Grun told Oregon Live. “Say whatever you want, but it has to be helpful."
spent stationed at the Golden Gate Bridge just north of San Francisco.
illness for the past year, and 40 percent met the criteria for
The group grew, but tragically some of the members were
When he first started his job, he frequently handled traf-
complete mental health — defined as being free of current
dying by suicide. It took a toll. So when Grun would see a
fic incidents and never expected what his job would grow
mental illness, being able to function well, and feeling good
troubling post, he would call upon other group members to
into. He had no training on how to handle a situation in
about oneself, relationships, and community connections.
check on the member. They would reach out or even show
which someone was contemplating suicide. He didn’t re-
"There is hope," lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson said
up at their home to check in. Now the group has meetings
alize how pervasive the issue at the bridge was — that about
to U.S. News. "There is a great deal of recovery, even for
in-person, called Vets Speak, where veterans can talk about
five suicidal people would come to the bridge each month.
people who have suffered for a decade or more."
their military experiences.
“I stand back, and I'll just introduce myself,” Briggs told
According to the team’s findings, people who had at least
Plans are underway to make more events happen locally.
CBC. “I'll say, 'Hi, I'm Kevin' or 'I'm Kevin with the High-
one person in their lives who provided them with a sense
The effort is a way to honor group members who had no-
way Patrol, is it okay, is it alright if I come up and speak
of emotional security and well-being were three times
where to turn when it was most bleak.
with you for a bit?' I want to get their permission and
more likely to be in excellent mental health than those without a confidant.
“This feels like a mission,” Grun said. “It's never about me. It's about them.”
empower them." Since he started his job, he’s talked to more than 200 people standing on the edge of the bridge. Although he can’t fix
“For those with anxiety disorders, the social support that extends from a confidant can foster a sense of
WHAT'S THIS? THIS IS THE GOOD BAR.
any of the problems people are dealing with, he knows he
belonging and self-worth which may promote
We believe in celebrating good and then joining in and making a difference ourselves. The Good Bar is full of recommendations from the Good Good Good community on how to take action in meaningful ways. Start small and work your way up.
can lend a listening ear and try to understand what they’re
recovery,” co-author Kandace Ryckman said to Psych Central.
going through. Briggs retired from the California Highway Patrol in 2013, and he now works in suicide prevention.
HOW TO FIGHT VETERAN SUICIDES GO OD
BET TER
BEST
Talk about your mental health more. Just like we all have physical health, we all have mental health. When you're more open, you help others share their mental health experiences as well. You could save a life.
Support the organization Mission 22 to let veterans know they have an army behind them. Your donation assists in getting veterans treatment when they need it the most — now. Visit mission22.com for more info.
Learn more about upcoming veteran mental health policies being proposed in 11+ U.S. states. (Check out theintercept.com/2019/05/28/veterans-bill-of-rights.) And then ask your representatives to support them.
