The story of Kevin Hines is one that shows the importance of community, suicide prevention, and hope. After a difficult childhood and a rough time in his life, Kevin attempted suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000.
The story of Kevin Hines is one that shows the importance of community, suicide prevention, and hope. After a difficult childhood and a rough time in his life, Kevin attempted suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000. Kevin survived and became a suicide prevention advocate, bestselling author, and inspiration for the power of hope and healing.
Hines joined NAMI SFV in an Instagram Live to share his story and encouraging words.
How Suicide Prevention Training Can Save Lives
Today, Hines recognizes the importance of suicide prevention training and how it could have changed the events of the darkest point in his life.
On the day Hines attempted suicide, his dad knew there was something wrong but was unable to pinpoint the issue. “He knew something was wrong but he didn’t know what,” Hines shared on Instagram Live. “To be fair, my dad really tried to reach me that day,” he continued, “no one taught my dad to ask the direct question to someone who was in pain ‘are you thinking of taking your life? Are you planning to die by your hands?’”
As Hines made his way to the Golden Gate Bridge to commit suicide, he hoped somebody would see his anguish and reach out to help him. But that did not happen, and he jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge in an attempt to stop his anguish. He survived and has changed his story to one of hope and strength.
“If we see somebody in pain, we’ve got to reach out. We can’t wait for somebody to reach out, we need to reach in,” he said.
The Hope of Sharing Stories
“When we share our story with someone in pain, they share their story,” Hines said. Sharing our stories can help people recognize that they have value and that they matter. Opening up with others, sharing vulnerability, and making connections with one another can help combat many challenges of mental illness.
Hines shared several instances in which listeners who heard his story expressed their own thoughts of suicide and the hope that his story had given them.
How You Can Help Others
As a suicide prevention advocate, Hines recognizes the importance of connection and prevention. “We can all be a part of this change, we can all be a part of helping people heal, and we can all be stewards of change for people in mental pain,” he said.
“We can all have a massive impact on lives if we so choose,” Hines shared. And you have the power to help those in your family and your community through Suicide Prevention Training. We encourage all residents local to NAMI SFV to take part in our program and help save lives.
“Suicide is never the solution to your problem, it is the problem,” Hines added.
You can view the full Instagram Live with Kevin Hines on the NAMI SFV Instagram page.
To learn more about Kevin Hines, visit his website http://www.kevinhinesstory.com/ or follow him on Instagram.