Irwin Army Hospital

David was featured on the Irwin Army Hospital’s Facebook page for September’s Suicide Prevention Month.

Click here to view the incredible video they created.

For decades, David Woods Bartley carried a weight of self-loathing, unable to even look at his own reflection. On August 31, 2011, he found himself standing 730 feet above a river on a bridge, ready to end his life.

But David was saved by a simple, human-to-human connection. A first responder stood with him and asked a question that bypassed his defenses and saved his life.

Today, David is a mental health advocate who is sharing his story to remind us that we don't need a medical degree to save a life. We just need the willingness to connect, to see people, and to use the tools we already have.

Music titles "Hiraeth" and "With These Hands" by Scott Buckley (@ScottBuckley) – released under CC-BY 4.0.

Fort Riley | 1st Infantry Division | Defense Health Agency

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September is “Life Preservation Month”