Author Information
Author Kevin Hines, published 2013. Kevinhinesstory.com
Early Life and Diagnosis
At 19, Kevin Hines was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Devastated, he decided he would take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransico. His biological parents coped with their manic depression through substance use so his brother and him were taken from their parents at an early age. Kevin was adopted by the Hines family, who provided a “picturesque” childhood and adolescence. Around 17 years old, Kevin started to have mental health challenges involving hallucinations and paranoid delusions. For a year and a half, Kevin suffered from the ups and downs of manic depression without anyone understanding what was going on and how to deal with the challenges. This brought tumultuous responses to all his relationships with family and friends. No one realized just how difficult things had been for Kevin. Kevin said that he suppressed his pain and didn’t talk about any of it. Silencing his pain led to a burst of rage, aggression, violence, and then his substance use. Suicidal thoughts increased and he started to make plans which led to the attempt.
The Day of the Attempt
It was overcast on the day of his attempt. He parked in the Golden Gate Bridge parking lot around 10 a.m. As he walked toward the bridge, deep down, he desperately wanted someone to ask if he was okay. He knew he wanted help but didn’t dare ask for it. Even though that morning his father asked what was wrong, and Kevin said nothing was. But Kevin wanted his father, Pat Hines, to know he loved him, especially since he believed that would be the last time he would see his father. Pat was oblivious to suicide prevention signs and steps of being blunt and asking if Kevin was planning on taking his life.
On the Bridge
When Kevin reached the bridge, he desperately wanted to live, but his mind was trapped in a relentless compulsion. For 40 minutes, Kevin “cried like a baby” as a busload of tourists admired the towering structure around him, oblivious to his misery. No one stopped to ask if he was okay. Leaning over the railing, his tears added to the water below. Bikers, runners, and even police officers passed by—officers assigned specifically to watch for suicidal individuals like Kevin—yet, despite his visible distress, they overlooked him. Twice.
All this ignoring led Kevin to think no one cared. A fallacy. The moment his legs cleared the rail he immediately regretted his decision.
The Fall and Survival
It took all of 4 seconds to fall full force into the water.
Amazingly, he is one of 39 to survive this deadly jump.
The “Fall” broke his body but not his fighting spirit. This book shows how “endurance, hard work, and support” made all the difference as he rose above his affection to become a mental health advocate for living a better life.
Kevin’s Message
Kevin shares, “Your thoughts don’t have to own, rule, or define your next action.” Learning to say, “I need help now,” are the words he wished he knew to use at that time.
Unexpected Miracles
The book shares how Kevin survived by landing with his legs hitting the water first but then a few other unexpected events save his life because he prayed for God to save him. Read the book, watch one of his videos, or watch the documentary to find out who God sends to help. He claims he received three divinely given miracles to grant his wish to live.
References
Hines, K., (2024, January 17). Surviving the Unthinkable: My journey back from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. [Video]. YouTube. Kevin Hines Story. https://youtu.be/NlyrDLQuPbo?si=G21_AhbTwTsRKH40
*we don’t receive any royalties for this promotion, just parents that want to help out other parents :)
