Students from four southern Vermilion County school districts listened to the story of an award-winning mental health advocate today (Thursday), who at 19, tried to kill himself by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. ‘’You are beautiful just as you are. You’re perfect as you are, and suicide never has to be your solution,’’ Kevin Hines told a packed gymnasium at Westville High School. His audience consisted of students and staff members from Westville, Salt Fork, Oakwood, and Georgetown-Ridge Farm High Schools.
And during what he said was a ‘’call to action’’ Hines urged the students to never bully, hate, or fight online. ”Just move forward,” he said.
[Students at Westville High School listen to Hines Thursday morning (October 3, 2019. The photos and story are by Neuhoff Media Danville News Director Bill Pickett.]
Judging from the size of the crowd in the room, Hines said he knows there were at least three students there who had contemplated suicide. ‘’And I am hoping, and praying, that you do not leave this building without asking one of us for help,’’ added Hines. He had students in the room chant the message: ‘’Suicide is never the solution to my problem. — It is the problem!’’
Hines told the students he instantly regretted jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge…..
Hines also noted it was through the grace of God that he survived, and it convinced him to spend the rest of his life trying to help others.
[Hines addresses students at Westville High School Thursday, October 3, 2019. Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them.]
Hines was scheduled to address students in a similar assembly at Bismarck-Henning High School this afternoon. And tonight (Thursday, October 3, 2019), he is the featured speaker at a ‘Hope Heals Expo’ at the Second Church of Christ. The event at the church in the 3300 block of East Voorhees Street begins at 6:00 p.m. There will also be a free Mental Health Awareness Expo at the church from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. (Thursday, October 3, 2019) featuring local resources.
Hines appearance was sponsored by OSF HealthCare with a lot of local community partners.
