ALLEGANY, N.Y. — Only moments after Jeff Yalden finished his presentation on suicide prevention with students at Allegany-Limestone Middle/High School, he took time to sit with a youngster in the auditorium who needed to talk about her problems.
Yalden, a youth motivational speaker, provided separate presentations to students and staff during his visit to the campus Wednesday, and later spoke with community members on suicide prevention.
Principal Cory Pecorella said the event was a district initiative to benefit the school and community.
“He gives a positive life message about taking care of each other and taking care of yourself,” Pecorella said of Yalden. “This was a proactive presentation to let students know they’re important, they’re loved and there are trusted adults here who care about them — and they can see someone here when they’re struggling.”
A veteran of the Marines and resident of South Carolina, Yalden is an expert witness and consultant to many organizations relating to teen mental health and suicide. Diagnosed himself with bipolar disease, Yalden also serves as a teen mental health speaker, and advocate on mental health and suicide. In addition, Yalden is a leading suicide crisis intervention expert, a suicide prevention trainer and speaks with groups and organizations approximately 180 days a year.
In commenting on his impromptu talk with the student after the session, Yalden said there are many more teens in society in need of this type of help from caring adults.
“I think you’ve got to build a relationship with these kids because I think a lot of them are just broken,” Yalden commented. “That’s what I enjoy about coming into the schools — being able to connect with them and let them know there are people who care … but if they don’t sense they can trust you, they’re not going to reach out.
“We were able to do a good thing for that young lady,” he continued. “My job is to tell my story, but really incite them to open their hearts and know it’s OK to ask for help.”
Yalden also noted that a goal of his presentations is to motivate students.
“All we do is we plant seeds, because it takes the village to raise a child,” Yalden explained.
“I feel very fulfilled in doing this and I guess it’s working out because I still get asked to come and speak.”
Pecorella said he observed that the students were attentive to Yalden and later provided positive feedback on the speaker.
A couple of teens who stopped at the auditorium after the presentation for bracelets handed out by Yalden were Olivia Fitzgerald and Jordanne Youngs.
“I think it was the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard and have been a part of,” Fitzgerald said of Yalden’s presentation. “It touched me, because of my personal experiences and it was really good.
“I stayed after (the talk) with my friend and we talked with him personally for about 45 minutes. I know a lot of people really did like him,” Fitzgerald added.
She said Yalden also shared information about his own struggles in life, which hit a responsive chord with everyone.
“Honestly, he (shared) something that could relate to everyone in some way,” she remarked.
Youngs agreed and added, “He was probably the best motivational speaker we ever had at school.”
She said Yalden’s presentation was also good because, hopefully, it will help some students open up about their problems and seek help.
“A lot of kids won’t talk about it — especially guys,” Youngs observed. “So, it’s nice to see a man go up (in front of an audience) and tell his issues to try and help other people.”
