Using the hashtag “#be here tomorrow” on his T-shirt, mental health advocate and suicide survivor Kevin Hines is coming to Columbus to talk about what led to his attempt to end his life 18 years ago.
Hines is one of only 36 people to survive a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, where he tried to end his life at age 19 after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The anguish of that diagnosis was so intense that he thought jumping from the bridge was his only choice, he said.
“I regretted it the second my hands left the rail on the bridge,” Hines said. “I didn’t realize my thoughts didn’t have to be my actions. In the freefall, all I wanted to do was not jump.”
Hines will speak about his life story, his journey through the mental health system and a new documentary that chronicles his life at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Columbus North High School, 1400 25th St.
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He will also speak to Columbus East High School students Tuesday morning, a presentation that will be videotaped and shown to other high school students after fall break.
In 2015, a Columbus community in mourning began a conversation about death by suicide after two Columbus East students died within a week just before the beginning of the 2015-16 school year. Another student from their class by suicide about 14 months before that.
In the aftermath, programming about suicide prevention was offered at area high schools and volunteers formed the Hope Squad at IUPUC and Ivy Tech Community College — Columbus, a group that trains students to identify their peers who are having difficulties and get them help.
“Our Columbus community opened this conversation several years ago and it hasn’t stopped,” said Larry Perkinson, BCSC employee and student assistance coordinator.
There has been one teen death by suicide every year since 2008 in the BCSC student population, Perkinson said.
In 2017, 14 people died by suicide in Bartholomew County, according to event organizers. The Bartholomew County E-911 Center received more than 500 suicide-related calls last year.
Presented by Centerstone and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., Hines will talk about the importance of reaching out to people in need at the Tuesday evening session, which is free and open to the public.
His story was featured in the 2006 film “The Bridge.” A new documentary, “Suicide: The Ripple Effect,” has been released and will be shown at YES Cinema, also on Tuesday. However, the screening of the documentary is now full, and a waiting list has been created.
Hines estimates that he has spoken to more than 2 million people about his attempt to end his life as a teen, what led to the decision, and the treatment he needed.
One of the most powerful aspects of his presentation is that he has become to be known as a “bridge” that allows parents, siblings, children, spouses and friends to ask questions as they wonder why their loved one would attempt death by suicide, and what, if anything, could have been done to prevent it.
Hines said he also hopes to reach people in the audience who may have been secretly thinking about death by suicide, and reaching out to them through his presentations. His presentation will include talking about his mindset leading up to his decision to jump from the bridge, and the immediate regret he felt when he did it.
Hearing Hines tell his story really impacts people, said Lyn Morgan, annual giving manager for Centerstone. Even though the subject matter is intense, Morgan said Hines has a good sense of humor and is relatable to others who are struggling themselves.
“People will receive a message of hope,” Morgan said. “Kevin does know what you are going through and will tell you that you have to get help. And he brings healing to those who have lost someone.”
Centerstone officials were particularly touched when Hines interrupted one of his presentations in another location to comfort an individual who had stepped to the microphone to ask a question, but instead broke down in tears, Morgan said.
“Kevin just dropped his microphone and had a one-on-one conversation with the person,” she said.
People who attend his presentations often line up after the events to talk with Hines personally.
Hines said he continues to be concerned that government is failing to support funding for mental health treatment for people who desperately need it, saying money would be saved if funding went toward prevention and treatment instead of incarceration.
Although the film documentary showing is full, registration is still open for Hines’ free evening presentation on Tuesday. To register, visit Centerstone.org/RippleEffect.
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What: "Suicide – The Ripple Effect" community presentation by Kevin Hines, mental health advocate and film director
When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Columbus North High School, 1400 25th St.
How much: Free, but registration is required. Visit Centerstone.org/RippleEffect to register
Presented by: Centerstone and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.
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Walk-in service
Centerstone, 720 N. Marr Road, Columbus, is providing walk-in service for mental health emergencies. So far this year, nearly 1,700 people have engaged with the agency through the Crisis and Access Walk-In Clinic, which is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Centerstone also has a 24/7 crisis phone line at 800-832-5442. People may walk in or call to get registered and ask for an appointment. Anyone who is undergoing a mental health crisis with suicidal thoughts will be seen regardless of the ability to pay, said Melissa Newland, regional crisis and access manager at Centerstone. Financial navigators are available to help people access insurance.
Crisis resources
Suicide Hot Line: 800-273-8255
For more information: centerstone.org or suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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