City of Shelbyville to host national mental health advocate Kevin Hines for community event

Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 8:38 AM

By Staff report

The City of Shelbyville’s Department of Behavioral Health and Equity is bringing nationally recognized suicide prevention advocate and storyteller Kevin Hines to speak with local students and the community on Wednesday.

Hines, a best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker, and mental health champion, is one of only 36 people to survive a suicide attempt from the Golden Gate Bridge. Since that day in 2000, he has dedicated his life to spreading a message of hope, recovery, and the critical importance of mental health awareness.

Throughout the day, Hines will speak directly to Shelbyville High School and Shelbyville Middle School students and then that evening, he will return to Shelbyville Middle School (1200 W. McKay Rd.) for a community session from 6–7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 5:45 p.m.

The evening session is free and open to the public. No tickets are required, but seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will include a question-and-answer session and light refreshments.

“We can’t save everyone, but we can try to reach those still in the fight,” says Keyen Macklin, Director of Behavioral Health and Equity for the City of Shelbyville. “Too often, people lost to suicide aren’t met with the same compassion as those lost by other ways. Kevin offers a rare perspective for those who struggle—and those who don’t. His message challenges all of us, especially those untouched by suicidal thoughts, to be the kind of neighbor who sees, understands there is a need, and helps. When I heard him say he wanted to live but his brain was trying to kill him, I knew it was something our whole community needed to hear.”

Hines’ appearance is part of the City of Shelbyville’s ongoing efforts to address behavioral health needs and promote equity across the community.

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