Suicide Survivor Brings His Miraculous Story To Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio1020 KDKA) - One man's story did not start off with inspirational expectations, but has transformed into one of faith, hope and courage.

Kevin Hines, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19, then tried taking his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge and miraculously survived. He regained full mobility despite the life-threatening injuries he sustained, and joined the KDKA Afternoon News to talk about that fateful day.

"Well, it got terribly dark and I always said I was walking through a bit of tunnel vision. At the end of it was a wall and there was no light coming inside that wall. When I went to attempt jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge, all I could think about was death, and what I will say about what I did was it became the worst mistake I ever made and it was an instant regret," Hines said.

Hines is now openly speaking about his experience and the road to recovery. Now, he looks to inspire those who share the feelings he had. He looks to inspire and speak out about suicide prevention.

"The shock of reality upon the jump, realizing I had made a mistake and just praying that I could turn back and it's not too late. My message to people across the globe and nationally is that you don't have to do something like what I did. You can just ask for help as soon as you need it," Hines said.

Hines will speak at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwestern Pennsylvania 14th Annual Education Conference on April 12.

He has captivated audiences with his story of unlikely survival and will to live. How Hines got his start motivational speaking is also a special story.

"I went to church with my dad one day and I had a back brace and a cane, the priest came out - I had known him my whole life - and he said, 'Hey, would you mind coming and talking to our kids on Good Friday about your experience?' I told him, 'Father, I don't have a speech and I wouldn't know what to say.' And my dad shoved me forward and said, 'He'll do it,'" Hines said.

You can hear the whole interview here:

You can also listen to the KDKA Afternoon News with Bill Rehkopf weekdays 3 p.m. to 7pm.

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• Suicide