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Mental Health Advocate, Author Kevin Hines to Speak Feb. 21 in University Center Ballroom

Ferris State UniversityA mental health advocate and best-selling author will bring his message of inspired living and perseverance to Ferris State University’s University Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21.

Kevin Hines wrote Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt in 2013, and recently released a feature-length documentary, Suicide, The Ripple Effect, which was co-written and co-directed by Hines, with his foundation receiving executive production credit.

Ryan Fouts, spokesperson for Entertainment Unlimited, Ferris’ campus programming board, said the group was impressed by Hines’ message as they researched his background and works.

“Mental health is an important topic in a college environment. Kevin’s 2015 video, on BuzzFeed, received over 6 million views,” Fouts said. “Speakers who have drawn that kind of attention resonate with our campus audience and we are looking forward to hearing Kevin’s message.”

Hines jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge over San Francisco Bay, at age 19, two years after learning he had bipolar disorder. His story of survival and its message of hope have been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Council of Behavioral Health and he was named a Voice Awards Fellow and Award Winner by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

“Kevin was among the mental health and suicide prevention champions who were asked to appear on stage with the rapper Logic when he performed his song ‘1-800-273-8255’ on the Grammys telecast last month,” Fouts said. “That’s the number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the song Logic did with Alessia Cara and Khalid was a Grammy nominee for Song of the Year and Best Music Video. Hines has a diverse and global audience and his mantra is ‘Life is a gift, that is why they call it the present. Cherish it always.’ We are honored to bring him to campus.”

Hines’ presentation is a five-star campus event, which is supported by the Student Activity Fund. Entertainment Unlimited is co-sponsoring the event with Active Minds, a Ferris student organization that promotes outreach on mental health awareness. Anyone with a disability wishing to attend this event can contact the CLACS office by email or by calling (231) 591-2685 at least 72 hours prior to the event.


PHOTO CAPTION: Best-selling author and mental health advocate Kevin Hines will speak on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom of Ferris State University. This five-star campus event is supported by the university's Student Activity Fund.