Don't take life for granted, urges mental health advocate

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Kevin Hines told members of Team Kirtland that everyone deserves to see hope, and life is a gift we should not take for granted, during multiple presentations Feb. 22-23 at the Base Theater.

Hines, a mental health advocate and motivational speaker, shared his story of struggling with mental health issues, and his miraculous survival of a suicide attempt. 

"I've been given the gift of a second chance at life and I cannot take that for granted," he said. "We all too often take things for granted, when we should be proud to be alive to live freely and do what we care about."

When Hines was 19, he jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge. He said he experienced "instant regret" the moment he jumped, and started fighting for his life. He said the brief moments he spent falling the 220 feet at about 75 miles per hour, he prayed his life would be spared.

Through a series of what he calls "miracles" - including a passerby seeing him jump and calling her friend in the Coast Guard and being supported by a sea lion while struggling not to drown while waiting to be rescued - Hines survived the jump. He now works to try to prevent others from making the same mistake he did.

He said no one should let depression or mental health problems take from them the ability to enjoy life. He encouraged people who are feeling pain, but staying quiet about it, to speak up.

He said overcoming mental health problems, such as depression, starts with taking care of the brain.

"The brain is the largest, single most powerful organ in your body and it's the one we neglect the most," Hines said. "Everyone remembers to try to take care of what's below the neck, but they forget that without the brain nothing will function properly.  Our brain health should be our number one priority."

He suggested exercising twice daily, nourishing the brain with nutritious food and developing a healthy pattern of sleep.

Hines was on the bridge for 40 minutes, crying and trying to gather the courage to jump.  He feels that if anyone had taken the time to talk to him, to show caring or compassion, he wouldn't have jumped. He said we all need to take the time to listen to others, and really empathize without judgment.

He said military members especially should understand the importance of watching out for each other.

"You protect everything, and you have the ability to protect each other," he said. "If we aren't anything else, we are our brothers' and sisters' keepers."

Col. Eric Froehlich, 377th Air Base Wing commander, said Hines' message perfectly ties in with the Air Force's campaign of being good Wingmen.

"Hines shared a powerful testimony on overcoming significant challenges and the importance of looking out for others," Froehlich said. "It helps you reflect on what it truly means to be a Wingman and how you take care of people."

Those struggling with mental health issues may speak to someone by calling the Kirtland Mental Health Clinic at 846-3305 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.