Suicide Is Real Tonight

It's 8:12pm, I'm on my phone laying in a hotel room ready for tomorrow's high school assembly when a message on Facebook comes through. It's a friend telling me another friend lost a family member to #Suicide. 

I know this family from a speaking engagement in Kansas. They're a very close and well to-do family. Probably a family that didn't think it would happen to them. 

I don't know all the details and it doesn't matter. I've called and offered my support. I'm messaging a family member now with what they can do. Really, what that can you do?  I mean, he had three kids and a wife, large family - brothers and sisters. 

You ask God, "Why?"  Mental illness doesn't judge or pick. Mental illness is not an Individual issue. Mental issue is about the whole family. 

Please don't ever think you're too good to ask for help. Don't ever be too proud to seek professional help. Whatever, you might be fighting right now is temporary. It will be ok. Know that life is worth living. Your wife matters. Your kids matter. YOU matter. 

Give someone a hug tonight. Give someone a smile tonight. Give of yourself tonight. 

If this was your family you'd be crushed right now. 

Every 15 seconds we lose a life too soon. 

Sorry if this saddens you or you think this isn't the platform, but it's real. 

I know this family would never have thought it would happen to them. So sad. 

#Suicide #MentalIllness #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention #NotTheSolution 

Teen Mental Wellness - 6 Minutes a Day

"I know what you're thinking, 'Yea Right!'", says renowned teen mental health expert, Jeff Yalden. 

Jeff Yalden is a teen motivational speaker and teen mental wellness expert. His expertise comes as a result of his own personal struggle with depression, anxiety, bi-polar, and PTSD. He's passionate about his own mental health and the teaching to others. 

"Today, stress and teen anxiety is ruining the lives of many of our teens and for some this pressure is leading teens to take their own lives. We need to teach our youth better problem solving skills and coping skills.", says Jeff. 

If you visit Jeff's website http://www.JeffYalden.com and visit the Mental Health section you'll see Jeff's new program designed for middle school and high school teen wellness. In addition to Jeff's school assemblies he also does workshops for teen mental wellness to help improve school climate and school morale. 

Just think, in only six minutes a day, Jeff can:

Improve Relationships

Lower Stress and Anxiety

Improve Grades

Improve Test Scores

More Presence in the Classroom

and much more....

Visit www.JeffYalden.com today and see how Youth Motivational Speaker and Teen Wellness Expert, Jeff Yalden can improve the school climate in your building. 

It's Good To Be Back

Youth Motivational Speaker and Teen Mental Wellness Coach, Jeff Yalden is back from emergency spinal cord surgery and is currently in Pittsburgh, PA. 

"It's been a tough three weeks and I know I should give myself more time, but I'm going crazy sitting at home. Thankfully, and I feel blessed; all my clients that I've had booked have all been understanding and patient with me through this process.", says Jeff. 

Early October 2015, Jeff was awoken to incredible pain in the back of the neck, down the right upper back, down his right arm, right through to his right thumb. At 3am Jeff rushed to the emergency room. That very weekend, Jeff visited the ER three seperate times. Nothing would alleviate his pain. Finally, an MRI was ordered and Jeff was off to emergency surgery concerned that if doctors didn't act quickly he'd lose all feelings from the nerves down the right side. His C-6 was all closed off according to the MRI. Surgery was the protruding disk and shaving large fragments of cartilage before fusing the C-4 through the C-7. 

Just shy of three weeks, Jeff has his dad traveling with him. In a whisper, Jeff mesmerized three audiences last week in Tennessee and Indiana. 

"It's great to know each day I'm getting better.  I love what I do.", says Jeff. 

To book your next high school or teen leadership speaker, visit www.JeffYalden.com. See why for 23 years he's been a favorite youth and teen motivational speaker for high school assemblies and teens all over the world. 

Mental Health Speaker "WOW's" TN Department of Children Services

On October 3-4, 2015 nearly 1250 Foster Care Parents packed into the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro, TN for their state conference. 

Teen Mental Health and Suicide Prevention expert, Youth Motivational Speaker - Jeff Yalden did a workshop to a packed audience - "Teens and their Mental Health."  "The content was amazing and he's so real. The best workshop!", said one conference participant.  Jeff delivered a two hour workshop talking about teens, cell phones, social media, and parenting today's teens. "Such a fun group. Had a blast with them." said Jeff Yalden. 

On Sunday, it seemed like nobody left as they were eager to hear Jeff Yalden for the closing general session. 45 minutes later and a standing ovation, Jeff "Wow'ed" the audience again with humor and content for foster care parents. Jeff validated their purpose and credited them with their work. He gave tips and advice on how to parent teens in the system, and teens in a social media world. 

A great conference was had and many echoed, "Definitely bring Jeff back!"

Plane Crash - Four Prominent Men Dead

The recent plane crash that killed four prominent men on their way to the Notre Dame versus Clemson game has really taken a toll on my emotions.

This is a picture of me speaking and one of the men who perished, Scott Bibler, while we worked with his students at Tippy Valley. 

This man I had worked with and I had great respect for him as an educator, counselor, coach, and a man. The other three I did not know, but I know the communities they're from. I haven't met a person I didn't respect.  Small town Indiana - Tippecanoe Valley and Warsaw are two school communities I know very well. 

Reflecting on this the past 15 hours I'm hurt, I'm sad, I'm angry. I'm angry that they chose to fly and put their lives at risk considering the weather that has brought 6-8 inches of rain and heavy winds. The visibility was terrible and four men in a Piper. 

As a pilot, I remember my instructors Jason Kubicek and Cash McLaughlin say, if you want to get there on time you drive. If you want to get there fast you fly. They were always cautious and it ended up we drove a lot instead of flying my plane. 

They should have know better. I'm a bit angry, but that doesn't negate the respect I have for them and the sadness I feel for their families. This is terrible. 

I was actually planning on renting a plane today after my program and flying in for the game. My girlfriend is there and our friends are there. I decided on Tuesday because of weather that I wouldn't fly. 

The thought I am having is that life is so much bigger than who we are or who we think we are. Life is everyday and we are just a part of God's plan. 

I hope you live everyday to the fullest. Love each other unconditionally. Give of yourself to your neighbors in time of need. 

After all, we are promised nothing. In the meantime though, our choices and our attitude create our legacy. 

RIP gentlemen. 

Guns or Mental Illness

I'm saddened by the latest school shooting in Oregon. What a tragedy. 

On #CNN last night I was a bit disturbed with the news and #Obama. They talked guns. New gun laws. There was only one slight mention of #MentalIllness. 

I pray for the community, the school, and all the families, but is this situation about the guns he had or his state of mind?  Sure, you can argue guns kill people, but the person holding the gun is #MentallyIll to plan such a horrific act on innocent lives. 

My friends, I think #MentalIllness #MentalHealth is more a priority in our country than our concern over #Guns. 

We need to address Mental Wellness for our youth and teens. Parents and adults need to do better in coping with life and problem solving. Guns are an issue, I do agree, but mental health is a greater issue. 

Agree or disagree?

The Perfect School District

Is it possible? A perfect school district, really, Jeff?

Renowned youth motivational speaker and celebrity teen and family life coach, Jeff Yalden just visited the Sharyland ISD in Mission, TX. Two high schools, two junior high schools, and eight elementaries. A beautiful community that sits on the border of Mexico and McAllen/Mission, TX. Jeff visited for two days and six programs including a teacher/staff teen suicide prevention program and a program for parents and community. 

What Made it Special

First impression! The moment you walked in each building. Immaculate. Applause to the custodial staff and every staff member. The walls were covered with newspaper articles, quotes, art work, and so much more but it was how the walls were covered. Literally, you could call these schools home. Everything done with care, pride, and attention to detail. One thing Jeff remembers that really made an impression was each hall decorated with flags of universities. So subtle, yet so powerful the message of you can go to college. 

Administrators were visible. Teachers walked their kids to the assembly areas. In the junior high schools the teachers had their kids walk in single file line in an orderly manner. The room say quiet with a small respectful sound of kids taking to their neighbor. 

Jeff was introduced. An hour and a half you could hear a pin drop. Jeff Yalden captivated each audience with a message of perseverance, courage, life, self-respect, mental health, and did it with humor and a serious tone. 

Respectful students. Great staff. Awesome administration. Where did this come from?

There was a standard set a long time ago. A discipline, structure, and high expectations. It was a model district with so much more to applaud. 

Well done Sharyland ISD. Well done. You've set a bar that should be modeled by others. 

No wonder Gray Junior High School is #1 in the USA. 

Teen Mental Health Expert Jeff Yalden is hired by #1 Junior High School in America

September 29, 2015 - #1 Junior High School in America - BL Gray Junior High School, hires Teen Mental Health expert and Youth Motivational Speaker Jeff Yalden. 

Suicide Prevention Month brings Youth Motivational Speaker to Sharyland ISD

 Jeff Yalden said in 23 years he's never come across a school district as incredible as that of Sharyland ISD. 

Jeff Yalden is a suicide prevention and teen mental health expert working with school districts all over the world. He's visiting Sharyland ISD for two days to speak at the two high schools, two junior high schools, teachers and staff on suicide prevention, and parents and community. 

When Jeff walked into Sharyland High School he was amazed at how beautiful the building was. Then, he was amazed at all the college banners that lined the halls. He said, "So subtle, yet so powerful!"  His presentation was met with a lot of media, great students, and very excited teachers. His one hour and twenty minute talk was incredible. He said the audience was well behaved and respectful. "You could hear a pin drop!" said one teacher. 

In the afternoon, Jeff visited Sharyland North Junior High Dchool and his testimonies were the same of that of Sharyland High School. 

In the later afternoon, after the suicide prevention presentation, Jeff asked district superintendent, "Will the kids tomorrow be half as awesome as today's kids?"

The superintendent replied, "We have amazing kids, Jeff!"

"Yes you do! You have amazing people running your schools too!", said Jeff. 

Check out renowned youth motivational speaker, Jeff Yalden by visiting his website www.JeffYalden.com, www.NotTheSolution.com and his teen mental health and teen suicide website www.TheForeverDecision.com. 

Educational Speaker gets VIP Treatment

I arrive McAllen, TX to spend a few days with Sharyland ISD - Teen Suicide and As I get off the plane I see this big welcome to an elementary speaker and author. 

A humbling experience when you realize again it's not always about you. 

Sometimes you wish it was. Especially when traveling in pain realizing you're about to go through Spinal Surgery in a couple of weeks. Times like this you wish you had family with you taking the journey alongside you. 

I head to Edmonton and Nashville, TN after this visit to Sharyland. I'll make it. I'll do my thing. Nobody notices accept the audience you present to that day. It's not why we do it though. It's not about the pictures, hugs, standing ovations. It's about the lives we save and the hearts we touch. 

Just sometimes, you need that hug. Especially when it's a Sunday.