“Are you Ok?
”Is something wrong?”
“Can I help you?”
Words that could give someone hope when they need it most. Words that American Kevin Hines wanted to hear someone say 15 years ago before he jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge to end his life.
Incredibly, Kevin survived the 245ft fall and now speaks with a raw honesty about his experience, sharing the effect of his suicide attempt and the tremendous positive ripple effects of inspiration and hope that are helping millions of people around the world heal & stay alive.
Suicide: The Ripple Effect is a documentary that follows Kevin as he travels around the United States then to Australia, spending time with local mental health advocates who are doing some amazing work throughout the country and overseas real people with real stories making a difference in the lives of others.
Men Care Too has teamed up with The Iris Foundation to host a screening of the film at Event Cinemas, Tuggerah on Monday April 30 from 6.45pm. Following the film there will be a panel discussion with local lived experience advocates along with resources to share with people in your community.
There was a moment during the film where the power of speaking up really hit me.
During his visit to Australia, Kevin sits barefoot on the ground with Joe Williams, a proud Wiradjuri, 1st Nations Aboriginal man with an incredible story of his own. During their conversation, Joe uses ochre, a natural clay earth pigment that Aboriginals have used for tens of thousands of years, to decorate the body. He puts marks on Kevin’s ears, eyes, mouth and forehead. Each stroke related to a meaning. We listen, we watch, we speak and we learn. This moment, watching two men who attempted to take their own lives, alive and sitting together with a shared purpose to make a positive difference in the lives of others, is one of many powerful moments in the film.
The message I took from the movie is that we can all make a difference, in someone’s life or in our own, by reaching out. Asking for help or offering to listen can be the first step towards healing and finding hope and purpose for the future.
There are touching moments throughout the movie, the stories are heartbreaking but uplifting. Individuals and families sharing messages of hope and support are what make this documentary not just a movie but contribute to a worldwide movement of people listening, watching, speaking and learning how to help one another.
We hope that you can join us for The Ripple Effect screening at Tuggerah, without your support the screening will not take place – tickets are pre-sale only and must be purchased by April 18.
For readers outside the Central Coast region, the film is playing in locations all around the world - find one near you through Fan-Force
