Plan to join us in Waterville - on June 21, 22, and 23 for the 2024 Dist rict Conference. Our Keynote Speaker will be Kevin Hines, author, filmmaker , mental health advocate, and suicide prevention activist. There will be am azing speakers, interactive activities, a summer garden party, a House of F riendship, and many opportunities to experience Hope in Action! Rotarians: To register for the District Conference: Follow the link below or on the lo wer right of this page. You'll also find more conference resources under th e Links and Download sections of this page, including our District Conferen ce video, agenda, lodging information, special activities! Members of the p ublic who wish to attend the Keynote Presentation with Kevin Hines may purc hase a ticket via the blue "Register for Kevin Hines Talk" button on the up per right of this page.
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Keynote Speaker: Kevin Hines<
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Kevin Hines is a storyteller. He is a best selling author, global public speaker, and award winning documentary filmmaker. In the Year 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival incl uding a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recover y while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability t o survive pain with true resilience.
His motto:
He is one of only thirty-six (less than 1%) to survive the fall from the Go lden Gate Bridge.
In 2016, Mental Health America award ed Kevin their highest honor, The Clifford W. Beers Award for his efforts t o improve the lives of and attitudes toward people with mental illnesses. P reviously, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Coun cil of Behavioral Health in partnership with Eli Lilly. Kevin has also been awarded by SAMSHA as a Voice Awards Fellow and Award Winner, an Achievemen t Winner by the US Veterans Affairs and received over 30 U.S. military exce llence medals as a civilian.
Kevin sat on the boards of the Internati onal Bipolar Foundation (IBPF), the Bridge Rail Foundation (BRF) and the Me ntal Health Association of San Francisco (MHASF) and on the Survivors Commi ttee of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Previously, h e was a board member of the Northern California Chapter of the American Fou ndation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and was a two-term member of San Fran cisco’s Mental Health Board. He has spoken in congressional hearings alongs ide Patrick Kennedy in support of The Mental Health Parity Bill. He continu es his policy work as an Ambassador to the National Council for Behavioral Health.
In the summer of 2013, Kevin released his bestselling memoir titled Cracked Not Broken, Surviving and Thriving After A Suicide Attempt. He is currently producing a documentary entitled Sui cide: The Ripple Effect.
Kevin’s will to live and stay men tally well has inspired people worldwide. His compelling story has touched diverse, global audiences within colleges and universities, high schools, c orporations, clergy, military, clinicians, health and medical communities, law enforcement organizations, and various industries. Thousands have communicated to Hines that his story helped save their lives. He has reache d millions with his story.
His story was featured in the 2006 film&nb sp;The Bridge by the film director and producer Eric Steel.&n bsp;
Kevin believes in the power of the human spirit and in the fact that you can find the ability to live mentally well. His mantra: “Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always.”