Mental health is a positive, dynamic resource that is an important part of overall health and helps us grow, flourish, and build resilience. Increasing and maintaining mental health and wellness helps us learn, think, feel, connect, and function.
The Arizona Department of Education aims to support schools across the state in creating healthy learning environments. This page is meant to serve as a resource for educators and learners to build their mental health inside and outside the classroom.
If this is a mental health emergency or crisis, please call 911. Tell the operator this is a mental health crisis. You are not alone, and there is a network of professionals throughout the state ready to help.
Resilient Arizona Crisis Counseling Program (English and español) - Call 211 now to connect to an Arizona crisis counselor
The mission of Resilient Arizona CCP is to assist individuals and communities in recovering from the psychological effects of the Coronavirus pandemic through community-based outreach, emotional support, and educational services. Services are provided at no cost and are available to anyone who has been impacted by the pandemic. These services are provided in safe, accessible telephonic and virtual locations. Services can be provided in a group setting or one-on-one and include supportive crisis counseling, education, development of coping skills, and connection to appropriate resources.
Crisis Response Network
Central AZ: 602-222-9444 or 1-800-631-1314
Northern AZ: 1-877-756-4090
Southern AZ: If you live in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yuma Counties or on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, you call 1-866-495-6735
Tohono O'Odham Nation Crisis Line: 1-844-423-8759
National and Regional Crisis Hotlines
Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741
Teen LifeLine: Phone or Text 602-248-TEEN (8336) Monday-Friday 3 – 9 PM
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
National Sexual Assult Hotline-Free. Confidential. 24/7: 800-656-HOPE (4673) Chat on their app or at https://www.rainn.org/get-help
1 in 6: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat (see below) Support for men and boys experiencing sexual abuse or assault. Offers information, resources, 24/7 chat, online support groups, trauma-informed training, and webinars. www.1in6.org
National Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
National Human Trafficking Hotline 24/7: 1-888-373-7888 If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free hotline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a specially trained Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocate. Support is provided in more than 200 languages. They are here to listen and connect you with the help you need to stay safe. Callers can dial 711 to access the Hotline using TTY. You can also email at [email protected]. All communication with the hotline is strictly confidential. Read their Confidentiality Policy here. Download and print FREE materials and resources here: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/get-involved/downloadable-resources
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Hotline): Phone: 1-866-488-7386 or Text: START to 678-678 Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) StrongHearts Native Helpline advocates are knowledgeable in serving the unique needs of LGBTQ2S+ peoples. Help is available 24/7 by texting or calling or via online chat at strongheartshelpline.org
Each school has unique relationships with behavioral health providers in its area. Some schools allow services to be provided on campus; other schools refer students off-campus.
If you are an educator, caregiver/family and you are interested in getting your student connected to services please speak with your school social worker, counselor, principal, or school nurse for more information about the resources provided in your area.
Below are guides for school administrators and districts.
Additional Funds to Support Student Mental Health for School (One-Page Guide): This one-page guide offers information about AHCCCS' partnership, and links to more information regarding the Community Mental Health Block Grant allocated to the Title XIX/XXI funding, & Children's Behavioral Health Services Fund.
ADE encourages all LEAs to implement evidence-based programs and practices that support a positive campus climate and culture. There are multiple avenues both within ADE and nationwide to help your school get started.
Mental Health Quick Reference: This is a quick guide of strategies and resources is meant to support the mental health needs of students during the pandemic and as the community recovers.
School Employee Wellness Guide: This guide is a resource for districts and schools with no prior experience with employee wellness initiatives as well as for those seeking to improve an existing initiative. It was written with diverse readers in mind. People in a variety of positions— from human resources directors to district superintendents to wellness coordinators—play a role in leading and supporting employee wellness initiatives. Though the guide was developed for public schools, most of the information will apply to all types of schools.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) & PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports): Technical Assistance Center on PBIS supports schools, districts, and states to build systems capacity for implementing a multi-tiered approach to emotional and behavior support. The broad purpose of PBIS is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and equity of schools and other agencies. PBIS improves social and academic outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities and students from underrepresented groups.
Title IV-A Office of Safe & Healthy Students: The mission of the Arizona Department of Education, Office of Safe and Healthy Students, is to provide support to schools and LEAs so that every student can experience a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment, including focusing on students' physical and mental health, and safety. A safe, healthy, and supportive school environment is the product of a school’s attention to fostering safety; promoting a supportive academic, disciplinary, and physical environment; and encouraging and maintaining respectful, trusting, and caring relationships throughout the school community, focusing on the fostering of positive conditions, climate, and culture, including family and community engagement.
Arizona Department of Education Title I Program: The purpose of Title I is to “provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps”. Title I provides technical assistance, service, and support to local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools to help ensure every child has access to an excellent education.
SchoolSafety.gov is a new website designed to help schools and communities prepare for and address various threats related to safety, security, and support in schools. Further information is available on their website.
Caring for youth and children can be challenging. Below are resources to support mental health and wellness in the home.
Please call the Family Assistance Center phone line to talk to someone who can provide emotional support and offer resources to any parent or caregiver, especially those who need support caring for a child with emotional or behavioral health challenges: 1-877-568-8468 or visit www.familyinvolvementcenter.org/
Project AWARE is a federal initiative funded by SAMHSA to build and expand the partnership between education and mental health systems at both the state and local levels.
