 "Photo:")
The Golden Gate Bridge is a spectacular sight. Formed in 1937, the bridge has the second longest main span in the United States. It provides tourism, a commute for San Francisco residents and is one of the more popular sites in California.
For John Kevin Hines however, it was a bridge that he wanted to lead to his death.
On Sept. 25, 2000, Hines attempted suicide by jumping off the bridge into the waters of the San Francisco Bay, some 245 feet below. Today, he gives lectures all over America on mental illness and suicide prevention.
Hines was one of only 29 people to survive the jump in the history of the Golden Gate Bridge. He miraculously only sustained injuries to his ankles and his back.
"By all accounts I should be dead," Hines said. "The way I landed, it should've killed me."
Hines was raised in San Francisco by adoptive parents. His biological parents, he said, were drug users and even used drugs when he was in the womb. He said he had a privileged life and a very loving adoptive family.
"I really didn't have anything too wrong in my life," Hines said. "However, when I was 16, I developed bipolar disorder through a chemical imbalance."
The chemical imbalance in Hines' brain that caused his mental illness sent him into a downward spiral. He experienced not only bipolar disorder but paranoia, depression, epilepsy and psychotic features. Medication and routines kept Hines in balance. However, leading up to his suicide attempt, Hines claimed he had abandoned his philosophy of healthy routines and it lead to suicidal thoughts.
"I had not been taking my medication and not getting into a healthy routine," Hines said. "That day, I just felt like I needed to die."
After his suicide attempt, Hines began a long road to recovery not only mentally but physically. Before he could deal with his mental issues, he had to endure physical therapy to repair his body from the jump. From there, he spent the next three years in and out of mental facilities.
"Mental illness is just like any other health issue," Hines says. "It's like a broken arm or cancer. It's not going to just go away by itself. You have to treat it."
According to Suicide.org, suicide is the second leading cause of death for students in college. The most common cause of suicide in these students is untreated depression. Furthermore, a study conducted by the American College Health Association surveyed over 90,000 students in 2006. The study found that 45 percent of these students felt they had experienced depression so severe that they were unable to function.
Beau Dooley, Assistant Health Services Director at the Northwest Wellness Center, encourages anyone feeling like they have a problem to come talk to one of the counselors provided.
"Our biggest goal is we want to encourage people to find help if they need it," Dooley said. "Even if they think they might not have a problem, they should still be willing to come talk."
Hines has since become a spokesperson for the National Mental Health Campaign, as well as other mental health groups. He has been the focus of many television programs including "Larry King Live," "Anderson Cooper 360" and was featured in a 2006 documentary called "The Bridge" about people who have committed suicide and attempted to commit suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge.
"I've learned that it's not ok to not get help," Hines said. "If I can help one student in that crowd when I'm speaking, that makes it all worth it."
Healthy routines are the key to success in dealing with mental illness, Hines said. He puts great emphasis on a number of healthy routines including a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, talk therapy, medication, exercise and reading and studying his disorder.
Hines planned on coming to Northwest to give his lecture, but an emergency health issue kept him from speaking on Monday. In his place, Colleen Coffey, who also has struggled with her own mental health issues, spoke to a full house at Charles Johnson Theater. Her message was the same as Hines'.
"Mental health issues are real for everyone," Coffey said. "Just remember you have great strength in just being willing to talk about these issues."
Be the first to comment on this article!