Kevin Hines Survived Suicide Attempt, Devotes Life to Giving Back

Kevin Hines’ father drove him to college on Sept. 24, 2000, told his son that he loved him and drove away thinking that they would have dinner that evening.

But with an inward “pain that was too much to bear,” the younger Hines took a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and catapulted off the ledge. Although fewer than one percent of the people who attempt suicide from the bridge survive, Hines lived to tell his story.

Today, Hines is an internationally recognized speaker on suicide prevention and a mental health advocate. In a talk, sponsored by Here4AReason and Lander University, Hines encouraged audience members to “ask the tough questions” if they believe someone is struggling with their mental health, among them “Are you OK? Can I help you? What do you need from me right now?”

Admitting that he still has to keep his mental health in check and also struggles with physical pain from his injuries, Hines said each of the people hearing his talk “can be the catalyst for saving a life.Help without fear or hesitation.”

Although he questions his survival from the fall, which broke multiple vertebrae in his back and lacerated most of his lower organs, “I know that I survived for a reason. That purpose is to give back,” he said.

“I’m going to fight to be well … to push past the narrative of my pain,” Hines said. “I am grateful for every place I get to go. I’m grateful for each and every one of you. We get to be here.”

CUTLINE: Acclaimed speaker and bestselling author Kevin Hines spoke at Lander University about the resilience to survive after he attempted suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Karen Petit.

Kevin Hines, who survived a suicide attempt after jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, told an audience of Lander students and community members that he survived for the purpose of being able to give back to others. Photo by Karen Petit.