Springfield Public Schools freshmen hear from suicide prevention advocate

(From Springfield Public Schools)

As a baby, Kevin Hines was taken from his parents who struggled with addiction and placed into foster care. As a child, he lost his biological brother and father. At 17, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. And at 19, he jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge.

But he survived.

For more than an hour, Hines stood on Parkview High School’s stage and told his story of his lifelong battle with mental health issues and the stigma around them. On his 36th birthday, he shared with students his determination to value his life and others through support and advocacy for mental health awareness.

“Your brain is the most powerful organ you wield,” he said to nearly 400 Parkview freshmen. “If your brain isn’t working, there goes the rest of you. And that is not your fault.”

Parkview students heard his powerful message in person, but across Springfield, every SPS freshman was hearing his words live. SPS Information Technology team members facilitated a coordinated live stream of the talk to every SPS high school, filmed live by students from Kickapoo High School’s media department.


“It’s really important to us as school staff to provide opportunities for students to hear a personal experience of someone who has overcome some pretty big obstacles,” said Rhonda Mammen, director of counseling services. “It helps our students understand that there shouldn’t be stigma attached to mental illness. Whether it’s for you or for a friend or for your family, it’s just talking to the students about what mental illness is and what happens when it’s left untreated.”

Hines has made it his life’s mission to speak to high school students around the country about his battle and suicide attempt. He is one of 38 people who have survived suicide attempts from the Golden Gate Bridge’s 25-story drop, which has taken the lives of more than 2,000 people.

But in the heart of his struggle, he found hope in routines, exercise and healthy eating, tools to help keep him and others mentally healthy, he says.

“When you walk out these doors today, I want you to know that you should never silence your pain,” said Hines. “Your pain matters simply because you matter.”

SPS freshmen were the audience of Hines’ talk because of its relevance to the SPS Signs of Suicide curriculum, which is taught to ninth-graders districtwide.

For more information on mental health resources for students at SPS, contact your school counselor to seek out help and additional support, including referrals to trained medical professionals. For 24/7 support in a crisis, visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center website or contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.