Golden Gate bridge jump survivor helping men who struggle

A man who survived a suicide attempt after jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge is working to prevent more men from taking the same action.

suicide

Kevin Hines. (SBS)

When US man Kevin Hines was 19, he made what he describes as his biggest mistake of his life.

"I tried to take my own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge," he said.

"And I have always maintained that that was the single worst action I could have taken."

Against the odds, he survived.

"I prayed that I would live. Because I didn't want to die."

He is not alone.

Deaths by suicide have reached a 10-year peak, and there are some men who are particularly vulnerable.
"I prayed that I would live. Because I didn't want to die."
In Australia's construction industry, for example, suicide rates are nearly 2.4 times higher than in the rest of the population.

Peter McClelland, CEO of suicide-prevention charity Mates in Construction, said many men in that industry struggled to ask for help.

"Construction workers like to see themselves as tough and able to fix problems," he said. "And, like a lot of men, we're not very good at seeking help."

Retired Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Briggs said communication was important.

"What I've found is folks haven't been listened to a lot of times," he said. "The mental illness, the depression, the bipolar is with them. They're just not being listened to."

Mr Briggs said police were trying to prevent the deaths and are working to target vulnerable communities, including Indigenous Australians.
"What I've found is folks haven't been listened to a lot of times."
"A lot of studies have shown that they have higher levels of suicidal behaviour," he said.

"We need to be able to open up. And if we can do that, life much, much easier."

Kevin Hines agrees, and he's using his experience to help other men speak up.

"Every day I'm happy to be alive," he said.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or follow @LifelineAust @OntheLineAus @kidshelp @beyondblue @headspace_aus @ReachOut_AUS on Twitter.


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