Keynote Presenters
Bryan Adams
Morning Keynote Presentation: My War on PTSD
Bryan Adams’s mental health story began in Tikrit, Iraq in 2004 when he was shot twice during an
ambush while on patrol. Bryan came back to the US to purse his college degree as a recipient of the
Purple Heart, but nothing could prepare him for how rough the transition would be to campus life
primarily due to his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Today, Bryan shares his moving
story of trauma, stigma, and other reintegration issues to active military, veterans, and civilians alike to
reinforce the importance of seeking help. A tireless advocate for veteran’s rights, Bryan seeks to
empower others, and when they cannot speak up for themselves, he can speak up for them.
Learning objective 1. Attendees will learn how wounded soldiers can react negatively to re-entry into
civilian life, especially when dealing with untreated PTSD, by exhibiting anxiety disorder, alcohol and/or
other substance use disorders, depression, etc.
Learning objective 2. Attendees will learn how to encourage military veterans and active duty service
members to advocate for themselves and others when seeking mental healthcare.
Learning objective 3. Attendees will gain knowledge about the specific mental health needs of active
military and veteran soldiers, which can often be more complex and more deeply rooted than those of
civilians, because of the additional challenges of re-acclimating to home life, returning to school,
reconnecting with family, and finding employment.
Kevin Briggs
Afternoon Keynote Presentation: Listen to Understand
Author of Guardian of the Golden Gate: Protecting the Line between Hope and Despair highlights Kevin’s
work as a California Highway Patrol sergeant. His keynote address combines his work with the California
Highway Patrol and as an Army veteran. Kevin delivers a keynote address that includes his experiences
with saving over 200 people from committing suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge and includes his own
personal story of physical and mental health challenges, recovery, military service, and surviving the
suicide of a loved one and depression. Briggs story has been featured in The New Yorker, People and
Men’s Health, and on the Steve Harvey Show and NPR’s Bob Edwards Radio Show.
Learning Objective 1: Attendees will gain knowledge on how to make a “connection” with
veterans. Many veterans returning from overseas deployments suffer serious mental health
conditions. To even begin to assist these individuals, a connection between counselor and veteran must
exist. This can be difficult due to clinicians’ lack of knowledge regarding dynamics of military life,
understanding battle experience and veteran disinclination to speak about their feelings and emotions.
Learning Objective 2: Attendees will learn how trained negotiators communicate face to face with
individuals on the verge of suicide. This insight will provide valuable information learned from practical
experience in the field. Techniques discussed will provide attendees with additional tools for use when
a suicide may be imminent.
Learning Objective 3: Compassion Fatigue, Vicarious Trauma and long work hours can take a heavy toll
on one’s life. Using a “Quality of Life” model Kevin Briggs has developed, attendees will gain knowledge
to minimize the effects of CF/VT.