Gary Butler, a father of two, is sharing his story of hope and recovery after a Nashville Police Department officer intervened when he was contemplating suicide on a bridge over the Cumberland River on July 23. Three weeks after the incident, Butler reported significant improvements in his life, including securing temporary housing, obtaining necessary medication, and starting therapy.
Butler had been struggling with homelessness and mental illness, unable to afford medication, and felt he had no options. "I was gonna jump off the bridge. That was my main thing, like, this is it," he told WTVF. He had taken a bus to the bridge with the intention of ending his life and even livestreamed the moments leading up to his attempt, stating he did not want to die alone.
Officer Mike Hotz arrived at the scene and calmly approached Butler, engaging him in conversation. Body camera footage captured Hotz saying, "Hey man, my name's Mike. Can I just holler at you? I just want to help you talk through this - this worst day of your life. And I know it is." Hotz, a veteran who had previously served on the department's Crisis Negotiation Team, listened empathetically to Butler's struggles.
"He cried several times with just absolute frustration, and having been a military combat veteran, I've had more experiences than I can count with the brothers that I served with overseas going through mental crisis and having suicidal thoughts," Hotz told WTVF. Butler stated that the officer's willingness to listen helped him "think and bring myself back into reality that life is important."
After Butler stepped back from the edge, he and Hotz shared a hug, with the officer saying, "I love you. It's going to be alright." Reflecting on the encounter, Butler told the outlet, "I've had no one to talk to or talk to me like you talk to me right now, and what you said really helped me."
Following the incident, Butler created a GoFundMe page to cover expenses for therapy, medication, and housing. He disclosed on the page that he struggles with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. He explained that after being discharged from the hospital without resources, he felt stuck and was still hurting deeply.
As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe had raised nearly $4,700. Butler reported that he is now in a much better place, having found temporary housing, secured his medication, and is engaged with a therapist. He also offered a message to others experiencing suicidal thoughts: "I would tell them it's not worth it. I understand, I truly understand because I've been in that situation before, but it's not worth it."
Anyone experiencing a crisis can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 in the US. An online chat is also available at 988lifeline.org.