Be here tomorrow. That is the message from suicide survivor-come-mental health advocate Kevin Hines.
At 19, Hines attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only 36 people to survive the fall. Now, a film carrying his message of hope and healing is gaining attention worldwide.
The film, Suicide – The Ripple Effect, will screen in Busselton this weekend as a fundraising event for the Holistic Healthcare Practitioner Network’s South West Wellness Festival.
Busselton counsellor and film organiser Genevieve Morrissey said the screening was an opportunity to start a conversation, and hoped it would be the beginning of community dialogue on the topic.
"As part of this South West community I see the absolute importance of all healthcare practitioners getting on board with the topic of suicide and its ripple effect in our community,” she said.
“It’s up to us all to change the current direction that our community is heading in and we can do that by showing up and taking part in the suicide/mental health conversation and this film will be a perfect vehicle for that.”
Ms Morrissey said the Holistic Healthcare Practitioner Network were determined to make a difference.
“It takes a village and this is something we can’t just leave to the medical profession,” she said.
“My experience of mental health is the more it is spoken about in a positive and proactive way, the more healing can happen.”
The Ripple Effect will be shown at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School on Saturday, July 28 at 6.30pm.
For more information and tickets, visit fan-force.com/screenings/suicide-the-ripple-effect-yalyalup-wa.
If you or someone you know needs urgent support, contact a crisis support service, such as beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.
