By: Miranda Calabria
On Thursday, April 9th, 2026, a man named Kevin Hines visited the Tri-C Western Campus to tell his story. This event took place from 7pm to 8pm, with time after for attendees to have a chance to talk with him. Mr. Hines’ topic was suicide prevention. He wants to make people aware of suicide and help those who are or know people who are struggling with suicide. Kevin Hines is one of 36 people to survive jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Before he got into his story, he shared his background. He was adopted by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hines. He also enlightened us that he was born with mental illnesses due to his biological parents’ lifestyles. He suffered from depression and had a mental breakdown at 17.5 years old, about 2 years later, on September 25th, 2000, at 19 years old he leapt from the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge was known as “The Death Bridge”, due to how often people jumped off and did not survive. He discussed how he paced back and forth; everyone who passed by ignored him. No one stopped to ask if he was alright. No one asked if he needed help. As soon as he let go of the railing, he instantly regretted it. He said as he was struggling to survive all he could think was how he did not want to die. That day God answered his prayers. A marine animal started circling him; he believed that it was a shark. At that moment he believed that he was going to be eaten to death by said shark. Turns out it was not a shark at all; it was a sea lion. The sea lion held him afloat until the Coast Guard was able to reach him. The Coast Guard told him he was lucky to be alive. One of the Coast Guard members told him that in all his years there, he has never seen anyone survive that jump.
He wants people to know that those who have committed suicide or want to commit suicide are not selfish. They truly believe that taking their lives is the only option they have. The guilt people have from losing their loved ones is not their fault. He wished that someone would have gone up to him and asked him the three most important questions you could ask someone in that mindset, “Are you okay? Is something wrong? Can I help you?”. He encourages others to ask their loved ones these questions. He does not wish this life for anyone. He encourages people struggling to reach out to their loved ones. Hines feels that “a pain shared is a pain haved”. He believes that pain matters, is valid, and is worth others’ time.
He strongly believes that if someone is about to take their life that they should stop. They should take deep breaths and completely calm their mind and body. Doing this will allow them the time to process and rethink what they’re about to do. Due to his attempt, he lives every day in constant pain and will continue to for the rest of his life. His attempt got so much attention that nets were put up. There has been an 80% reduction in suicides by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. In 2027, Kevin Hines is releasing a documentary movie by the name of “Death Bridge”, it will be about his story and the difference he is making.
