(KNZA)--Suicide prevention is the focus of upcoming local events timed with Suicide Prevention Month which runs through September. 

The events come as Pastor Jerry Petering, Board President of Nami Pony Express, presented a $500 check to Betty Jones and Jim Brennan to support KJ's Memorial Fund and the 2nd annual “I Believe” Fight Against Suicide on September 12th. 

It's named in honor of Kyler Jones, the son of Hiawatha residents Betty Jones and Rick Jones. The Hiawatha High School Student died in 2014. 

Along with the continuation of a benefit ride and silent auction, with funds raised helping to support suicide prevention efforts, a special guest will be part of the 2nd annual event. He's leading youth motivational speaker Jeff Yalden who will address local youth during his visit to the local area. “The assembly is going to really be about student motivation as a teenager, and the challenges that they go through everyday with teen stress, teen depression, teen anxiety, trying to live up to the expectations,” Yalden tells MSC News. “I just want to be able to get young people to understand that when you're feeling such emotions, lose your ego, open your heart, and don't be afraid to ask for help.” 

Yalden will bring his message to the youth from the Hiawatha, Horton, and Kickapoo Nation high schools on Monday, September 14th, and to Falls City high school students on Tuesday, September 15th. 

Yalden will also hold another assembly, open to the public, on Tuesday evening, September 15th, at 6:00, at the Hiawatha High School. 

Join us Wednesday, September 9th, as we talk in-depth with Yalden during “More Than Just a Soundbite” at 6:15 in the morning and again at 1:05 in the afternoon, on KNZA-FM 103.9 and KMZA-FM 92.1. 

For it's part, NAMI Pony Express is a support group for the National Alliance On Mental Illness and serves Brown, Doniphan, and Nemaha Counties.