EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  Kevin Hines, the survivor of a suicide attempt off of the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000, will share his story and his journey supporting emotional well being at Eastern Michigan University on Monday, March 13. The event, which is sponsored by Eastern’s Office of Student Well-Being and the Athletics Department, features two presentations – at 7 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Admission is open to all and there is no cost to attend.

Hines is one of only a few of the 2,000 people who have attempted suicide from the Golden Gate Bridge to survive. In the 17 years since his nearly fatal try, Hines indicates he has become a bridge between the many mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children, spouses, friends, and loved ones who made similar acts. Hines also states that in sharing his story, he is fostering a critical bridge of hope between life and death for people caught in the pain of living with serious mental illness, difficult life circumstances, and more.

Eastern Michigan University Assistant Vice President of Student Well-Being, Ellen Gold, said, “Many of today's students enter college with mental health conditions that put them at risk for being successful. However, they refrain from seeking support services. At Eastern, our objectives are two-fold; to encourage help-seeking behaviors among students; and to reduce the negative attitudes and myths around mental illness and suicide that are framed in stigma, fear and a lack of information.

“We are excited that we are able to bring Kevin Hines to our campus. Kevin's story contains many important messages about coping and seeking support networks to not only survive, but to thrive in life, while challenging the societal stigma and discrimination that is ever present.”

For Eastern students, the presentation is LBC credit approved.

In the summer of 2013, Kevin released his bestselling memoir titled Cracked Not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After A Suicide Attempt. He is currently producing a documentary entitled Suicide: The Ripple Effect. He has received numerous national awards for his work and has been featured in many publications, such as Time, The New York Times, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, People, Buzzfeed, and more.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest university in Michigan. It currently serves 22,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology, and its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.