Suicide survivor to share message of living mentally healthy

Suicide survivor, activist, storyteller and filmmaker Kevin Hines will bring his message of living mentally healthy to the Salve Regina community when he visits the University on Friday, April 7. Sponsored by the Campus Activities Board’s spotlight committee, his presentation will be held at 7 p.m. in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall.

Hines is one of only 36 people – less than 1 percent – to have survived a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since that time, his will to live and stay mentally well has inspired people worldwide.

In 2013, Hines released his bestselling memoir, “Cracked Not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After A Suicide Attempt.” He is currently producing a documentary titled “Suicide: The Ripple Effect.” Hines sits on the boards of the International Bipolar Foundation, the Bridge Rail Foundation and the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, and on the survivors committee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Hines has spoken in congressional hearings alongside Patrick Kennedy in support of the Mental Health Parity Bill, and he continues his policy work as an ambassador to the National Council for Behavioral Health. In 2016, he received Mental Health America’s highest honor, The Clifford W. Beers Award, for his efforts to improve the lives of and attitudes toward people with mental illnesses.