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It was his mental illness that drove Kevin Hines to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, back in 2000. And it is the fact that he survived—against all odds—that now drives his work in suicide prevention.

Within a month of the opening of the Golden Gate in 1937, the first suicide from the bridge occurred. Since then it is estimated that some 1300 people have taken their lives there. Kevin Hines syas there is evidence emerging that suggests the actual total is considerably higher.

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One reason that total is so high, Hines argues, is the lack of any suicide prevention measures installed on the Golden Gate Bridge. Mere signs, such as this one, are not an effective deterrent.

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Looking back on it now, Kevin is clear that it was his poorly treated mental illness that drove him to his sujicide attempt.

Kevin Hines wll give a free talk on "The Truth About Suicide" at the Sonoma State University Cooperage at 7:30 pm on Monday, Nov. 8.