Mr Hines said he had no intention of ever talking about his experience, and that he was embarrassed and extremely sad. . Kevin Hines stands on the beach overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. 152K 2K comments Top Add a Comment Hungerisanillusion 2 yr. ago I'm glad he survived and is helping others. The force attended nearly 50,000 mental health incidents last year. Kevin Hines parents, native San Franciscans Pat and Debbie Hines, adopted him when he was nine months old. Mr Hines says he is one of just 34 survivors of falls from the Golden Gate Bridge, which rises high above the San Francisco Bay, and the only one to become a mental health campaigner. Amid his struggle to remain afloat, Kevin felt something circling around him. 100% Proceeds are donated The American Association of Suicidology for Suicide Prevention Research & Youth Programming. Hed thought a gunshot or pills would be too painful; this was the easiest way. "[I was] in the water desperately trying to stay alive and stay afloat, [and] I guess you would call it a mammal began swimming beneath me and I'm thinking, 'Oh man, a shark is about to devour me'," he said. When asked what he wishes he knew then that he knows now, Kevin Hines told KABC-TV, Today is not tomorrow. "I'm one of less than one per cent to have survived that fall," he said. During that first stay, Hines met a priest who encouraged him to share his story. He continues his policy work as an Ambassador to the National Council for Behavioral Health. Wikimedia CommonsThe Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. On his walk up the pathway, he wept. Speaking with KABC-TV, he said he felt instant regret, powerful, overwhelming. However, this marine animal (whatever it was) just circled beneath me, bumping me up. Miraculously, a sea lion kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. For a long time, Kevin didnt know what it was. They likely intended to sell her into a forced marriage. Its OK! he thought. He shares his compelling story of hope . What You Need to Know About Narcissistic Relationships, The Critical Inner Voice That Causes Depression Webinar Resources, How to Succeed in Life Without Really Trying. Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. Oh, I forgot to mention that Kevin has asthma. Aged just 21, he was suffering from bipolar disorder and psychosis when he jumped from the San Francisco landmark on a chilly September day in 2000. Eighteen years ago, on September 25th, a young man named Kevin Hines got on a bus in San Francisco that was headed toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Doctors surgically repaired Hines' physical injuries and after four weeks, he entered psychiatric care at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco, the first of seven in-patient stays to deal with depression, paranoia, and hallucinations. U.S. only. 'You don't have to die this way.'. San Francisco bridge jumper says sea lion saved him . Just because youre in this kind of pain right now, doesnt mean its going to be forever. For much of the time since that day 18 years ago, Kevin has devoted himself to stopping suicide. She thanked him and went on her way. This is one of the few interviews that have brought me to tears because I could relate to Kevins mental health struggles and suicidal thoughts in many ways.Never underestimate the importance of being kind and caring towards others. (Editor's note: Since 1937 approximately 1,800 people have ended their lives by jumping from this iconic bridge. "I was a mess.". Its a great song and a beautiful video. Sea lions are not uncommon in the San Francisco Bay in late summer when the herring spawn, but . "I didn't think I was going to make an impact, I didn't think I was going to help a soul. I didn't think I was going to make an impact, I didn't think I was going to help a soul. Depressive cycles came in regular intervals; Thursdays and Fridays were the worst days. Hines story is definitely resonatinghe has over 19,000 followers on Twitter. Doctors moved him to a psychiatric unit at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco. He urges people to realize suicide is not an answer and that getting treatment for mental illness is a necessity. "When that happened, I said to my father, 'Dad we have to do this, anyway, anywhere we can.' Kevins goal is to spread a message of how he tried, through dedication and hard work, while following a treatment plan which his doctors, and clinicians set for him: to change his life and how he learned to live mentally well. But immediately after the four-second fall there was another, more incredible miracle. My father was an emotional wreck and he nearly fell out of his chair. One of Hines' major personal protectors is his wife of 12 years, Margaret. Kevin sat on the boards of the International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), the Bridge Rail Foundation (BRF) and the Mental Health Association of San Francisco (MHASF) and on the Survivors Committee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. 1. I dont want to die. To be clear, there are a large number of reporters and speculators who have claimed it was really a seal and even those who have claimed that there was nothing but me in that water, and that I was somehow able to save myself. It came closer and closer and got underneath him. He is currently producing a documentary entitled Suicide: The Ripple Effect. He shares his story of how he personally rose above the statistics and is now living mentally well, as he believes you can too. That we care about you, your life does matter, and that all we want is for you to stay," he says. They stood guard until we found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest, said Sergeant Wondmu Wedaj. That's when he felt a bump beneath him. He is not a licensed clinician, nor does he give medical or psychiatric services. He fell headfirst. He survived but was severely injured and trying to stay afloat in the churning, frigid water. When Hines saw the first parts of the net, he wept and said, "This is one of the most special days of my life". Visit www.suicide.org to find a helpline in your country.Listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/Kevin-Hines-PodcastFollow Kevin here: https://www.instagram.com/kevinhinesstory/Visit his website here: http://www.kevinhinesstory.com/If you liked this video, you'll love my other interviews. 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The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. Hines is still learning to manage his mental health but is taking things day by day. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. She told the authorities that while her kidnappers had beaten her, the animals had never threatened her. Previously, he was a board member of the Northern California Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and was a two-term member of San Franciscos Mental Health Board. He is one of only thirty-six (less than 1%) to survive the fall from the Golden Gate Bridge. "And I did. In 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. $30.00 100% Combed Ring-Spun Cotton. The Ripple Effect cites research that estimates that 115 people will be affected by a single suicide. Rodriquez JF. Terms for automated texts/calls from PETA: http://peta.vg/txt. So wonderful that you have shared your story. After leaping, Hines instantly felt regret. Suddenly, it didnt matter how cold the water felt or how much trouble breathing he was having because Kevin sensed he was about to be eaten by a shark. [8] ABC News reported Hines began hearing voices in his head telling him to die. Hines has been featured by CNN,[2] HuffPost,[3] ABC News,[4][13] Larry King Now,[5] The Today Show,[6] BuzzFeed,[14] PBS,[15] 9 news Australia,[16] The New York Post,[17] Time,[18] Business Insider,[19] Newsweek,[20] Forbes,[21] Fox News,[22] Reddit,[23] and other media outlets. Then, suddenly, he felt hands grab him and hoist him out of the water. According to the San Francisco Examiner, the safety net that Hines and others have lobbied so hard far is finally under construction. KTVU FOX 2 SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - Almost 20 years ago, Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. What keeps us from finding and keeping the love we say we want? It wasnt until 18 months after his ordeal that a priest helped him realize that his story of survival would help many others if he chose to share it. A man who survived a suicide attempt off San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and was kept afloat by a sea lion has relayed his story to a NSW Police suicide prevention conference. To those who read this, I say believe it or dont, thats completely up to you. Lately,there seems to be quite a bit of debate as to whether or not a sea lion saved my life after I jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge in an attempt to end my life. 'I was on a show for suicide prevention and I mentioned that I thought there was this shark on this show and a man wrote into the show and he said, "Kevin, I'm so very glad you're alive, I was less than two feet away from you when you jumped". I was actually very happy that morning, he told the Chronicle. But his body would mend before his psyche. Stephens recently wrote an email to Hines after her frequently suicidal husband heard him speak. A sea lion circled under him, bumping him up to the surface of the water and toward the shore. Dr. Sanjay Gupta: If you see someone struggling with mental illness, don't turn away CNN Champions of Change. He is a best-selling author, global public speaker, and award-winning documentary filmmaker. The sea lion helped keep Hines afloat until he was rescued by the Coast Guard. The family no longer eats pigs. And by the way it was not a shark (like you mentioned in the TV show) it was a sea lion and I have pictures. And that today is not tomorrow," he said. Something alive. Hines says hes not sure what kind of creature it was but firmly believes that hed be dead without it. kevin hines sea lion picture. As I was bobbing up and down in the water, I was saying 'I don't want to die, God, I made a mistake.'". Delirious from his ordeal and thinking that the animal must be a dog, he fell asleep. Kevin now travels the world sharing hisstory of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability to survive pain with true resilience. But the woman held out a camera and asked him to take her photo. Apparently, this is a pattern among many people contemplating suicide. Narcissistic relationships are formed when one or both partners struggle with a narcissistic personality. "', Landmark: By a stroke of luck, a witness saw Mr Hines jump from the vast bridge and alerted the coastguard, Conference: Mr Hines spoke at the New South Wales Police Force Mental Health Intervention Team conference in Sydney, Australia. You have spread hope and love to so many. Then, something brushed by my legs, I feared it was a shark come to devour me whole. 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Previous Be Here Tomorrow - SEA LION on TEAL Next Be Here Tomorrow w/ Seal (BLACK) Be Here Tomorrow - MULTI COLOR on BLACK *SPECIAL DESIGN* Be Here Tomorrow - MULTI COLOR on BLACK *SPECIAL DESIGN* $30.00 100% Combed Ring-Spun Cotton. He stood there a while, then walked onto the bridge looking for a spot where he wouldnt crash into a pillar on the way down. LuLu squeezed her 150-pound body through the dog door, cutting her stomach as she shoved herself through. Food safety expert warns everyone should be following an EIGHT-STEP process for washing lettuce - or risk being exposed to 'harmful bacteria', Look away, Putin! People who collect and release these statistics say 1,700. The picture was grotesque, morbid and yet, at the very same time, beautiful. Additionally, Hines takes medication and sees a therapist. Kevin Hines Dark side of the Golden Gate The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the. One man on the bus looked at another, pointed at Kevin with his thumb, and said: What the hell is wrong with that kid?, When the bus stopped, all the other passengers got off and the driver called out: Cmon kid, you gotta go!. Two weeks later, the children sent him letters. He now works daily, and diligently, to manage continued symptoms that can include depression and hearing voices. Population: Sea lions basking on piers in San Francisco. As he lay crying, he felt a warm, furry body snuggle up to his back. The third in a seven-part series on the Golden Gate Bridge barrier debate", "He jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and survived. Hines details his story in the new documentary that he produced, Suicide: The Ripple Effect, which opened across the United States in March 2018. I know the truth, and in this case and that is all that matters.'. Kevin Hines StoryHines is now a public speaker telling others about his experiences. 'The message is very very simple,' he told ABC. The moment his fingers left the railing, he felt instant regret. "My goal is to try to instill hope in at least one individual," Hines says, "so that one individual says, 'Maybe I can stay here, maybe there are tools to fight this.'" It appeared that Kevin was going to be added to the list because he didnt seem to have the strength to remain on the surface. Hines is a storyteller at heart. In September 2000, he wrote a suicide note. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline number is: 18002738255. Since the bridge opened in 1937, an estimated 2,000 people have done the same. He also has bipolar disorder. [1] His story gained major media coverage and he has since become a motivational speaker and advocate for suicide prevention. Altsmans husband was away when she collapsed on the floor, so her quick-thinking pig, LuLu, figured out how to get help. In the film, Hines highlights a major mission for which he and many others are fighting: the go-ahead from politicians for the installation of a safety net along the bridge to prevent suicides. With the click of a button it was gone. "At that speech I shook and I cried and I barely got through it and these kids were impacted. The first video in a seven-part series featuring Kevin Hines discussing The Art of Wellness. 'I say believe it or dont, thats completely up to you. ABC News reported that Hines began hearing voices in his head telling him to die. The comments below have been moderated in advance. The picture was grotesque, morbid and yet, at the very same time, beautiful. Known as a suicide barrier, the net is set to be completed in January 2021. "I never wanted to, when they became so apparent and so overwhelming that's when the thoughts of ending my life came into play and that's when I was on that bridge and the voices were literally screaming in my head, 'you must die jump now'. "She called her friend in the coast guard, which is the only reason they arrived to my position within less than the time I [would have] set in hypothermia and drowned.". Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. He hit the water at 75 miles per hour and was sucked under 70 feet. We hope you enjoy it and if it can help your cause, you may use it as you deem fit. In the film, there are interviews with people directly affected by Hines's suicide attempthis teary father, his sister, and the coast guard officer who had pulled 57 dead people and one live manHinesfrom the waters of San Francisco Bay after jumping. You cant go back! Hines hopes that each time he tells his story, the hope he conveys to the suffering will enable them to open up, to realize, 'I can help myself today,'" Hines says. Hines says that Margaret plays a big role in keeping him mentally stable. The bus dropped him off at a nearby parking lot. 10 Women Who Gave Creepy Guys A Chance, Describe Their Experiences, A Few Videos Guaranteed To Make You Feel Better About Life. The 4-second fall can be compared to the force of slamming into a concrete wall at 120km/h.If jumpers don't die from impact trauma, they generally die of hypothermia or drowning. How to Get Your Mental Health Checked, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-hines/after-my-suicide-attempt-i-made-this-plan-to-stay-alive-and-well_b_9058776.html. It gently nudged him to the surface and held him there. My documentary film is now available to WATCH - Check it out today! Marine animals (dolphins, sea lions) and other creatures have helped save humans and other animals from dangerous situations all over the world. He miraculous survived because a sea lion was bumping him up and kept his head above water. I was nineteen years old and after leaving the Bridge, my firstthought was that I had made a terrible mistake. Kevin Hines, in Australia to speak at several conferences, was a teenager struggling with mental illness and depression when he jumped off the famous bridge in 2000. A female police officer and male bridge workers passed him without stopping. San Franciscan Kevin Hines, 33, was the keynote speaker at the NSW Police Force biennial conference on improving policing strategies in mental health related cases. At the age of ten, he was put on Tegretol to help control his epileptic seizures. As you can imagine Kevin receives numerous amounts of messages and as much as he wishes he could respond to everyone, it does become difficult. Upon my resurfacing, I bobbed up and down in the frigid waters surrounding me. Kevin Hines went to the Walgreens near his college to purchase his last breakfast; Starbursts and Skittles. A fall like that is akin to landing on concrete. Back in 2000, Kevin Hines jumped off the golden gate bridge due mental illnesses. Yes it may be hard for the average skeptic to believe, but dont take my word for it Call the old producers and staff of ABCs Primetime with John Quinones. You see, I did not know that the creature was a sea lion, not a shark until I was featured on that show due to my work in suicide prevention and mental health.