Be Here Tomorrow: Hines to deliver message of hope and healing

Eddy County Community Cares and the Carrington Area Healthy Communities Coalition have partnered to bring an incredible mental health resource to the area.

On Nov. 16, witness the story of Kevin Hines, a young man who survived a jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2000. Since that day, he has traveled the world sharing his story and teaching people of all ages the art of wellness and the ability to survive pain with true resilience.

His mantra: "Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always."

His story of survival is one of hope and healing, both for those who have attempted suicide and for all people impacted by it. Anyone who's watched "Suicide: The Ripple Effect," a full-length documentary co-written and co-directed by Hines, won't want to miss this opportunity to see Hines in person.

As Hines notes, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people age 10 to 24. More teens and young adults die from suicide than from heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, pneumonia, influenza, cancer and lung disease, combined. And it's preventable.

Suicide is a large and growing health issue in our country for adults as well. In 2019, the last year for which data is available from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 12 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.4 million attempted suicide.

This isn't your ordinary school speaking event. Hines, as a survivor of suicide, has a unique way of encouraging dialogue surrounding mental health issues and suicide prevention.

"Kevin is an excellent public speaker who is able to immediately connect with audiences of youth and adults. Kevin is honest, courageous and not shy to challenge members of the audience to become allies of people living with mental illness. He has an uncanny ability to speak both to people who profoundly understand mental illness (because they are living with it or love someone who does), and to people who know very little about mental illness.

"I believe, with my whole heart, that Kevin's message saves lives," writes Wende Nichols-Julien, Executive Director for The California Conference for Equality and Justice.

Hines will bring his uplifting message to the communities of New Rockford and Carrington on Tuesday, Nov. 16. The NR-S School gym in New Rockford will host Hines at 2 p.m., followed by an evening event in the Carrington High School gymnasium at 7 p.m. Residents of all area communities are welcome and encouraged to attend either event.

The Rockford Theatre in New Rockford will screen Hines' documentary, "Suicide: The Ripple Effect" on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.

Hines also offers resources, including his "Hinesights" podcast, written parent resources, videos and more on his website, kevinhinesstory.com.