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Resources


If you or someone you know needs support, these resources are always available.


Get Help Now



988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988. For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, thoughts of suicide, or emotional distress. Available in English and Spanish.

 Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741. Prefer to text? Connect with a trained crisis counselor instantly. Free and confidential.

 Arizona Crisis Line
Call 1-844-534-HOPE (4673). Arizona's statewide behavioral health crisis line. Connects you with local support and resources.

 Teen Lifeline
Call or text 602-248-8336. Arizona-based and teen-specific. Phones are answered by trained teen volunteers, supervised by licensed counselors. Available daily 3pm–9pm.

For Arizona Students

You have more options than you might think.

Navigating mental health support at school can feel confusing, especially now, when resources are stretched thin. Here's what you should know.

You can ask for help at school Every Arizona public school is required to have mental health support available. You can ask a teacher, counselor, or any trusted adult to connect you with your school's mental health staff. You don't need a reason beyond "I'm struggling."

You have rights If your mental health is affecting your ability to learn, you may qualify for a 504 plan or an IEP — both are legal documents that require your school to provide accommodations. You can ask a parent, guardian, or school counselor to start that process.

You don't have to go through your school If schooldoesn't feel safe or accessible, Arizona's Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs) provide free or low-cost mental health services to young people regardless of insurance. Find your region at azahcccs.gov.


You're not alone in this Arizona students are speaking up.  Head to our Record Store (currently under construction) to hear from students who have been exactly where you are.




For Parents & Educators


Supporting a young person starts when we L.I.S.T.E.N. 

You don’t need all the answers. What matters most is that students know there's an adult in their corner.


Signs to watch for:
Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they used to enjoy
Sudden changes in sleep, appetite, or grades
Physical complaints such as headaches or stomachaches with no clear cause

Extreme reactions, excessive worry, or persistent sadness


Some ways to start the conversation:

"I've noticed you seem off lately. I'm not going anywhere, and I'm here to listen."
"You don't have to have it figured out. I just want to understand what you're going through."
Avoid jumping straight to solutions. Listening first goes a long way.


Navigating school support:

Request a meeting with your school counselor to discuss concerns
Ask specifically about 504 plans or IEPs if academics are being affected
You have the right to request an evaluation, schools cannot deny this


Arizona school resources:

Arizona Department of Education Mental Health: azed.gov
NAMI Arizona: namiaz.org — support groups and family resources
Arizona Family Resource Centers: free navigation support for families
seeking mental health services


Stay Informed
The crisis in Arizona schools didn’t happen overnight, and fixing it requires staying aware of what’s happening at the policy level.  


 

What’s happening right now?

Arizona has faced significant cuts to school funding in recent years, directly impacting the mental health staff and programs schools can afford to keep. Understanding the landscape helps you advocate more effectively.

Follow these sources to stay updated:

Arizona Mirror
Independent reporting on Arizona education and policy: azmirror.com AZFamily/12 News
Local coverage of school funding and mental health issues: azfamily.com Arizona Dept of Education
Official updates on school policy and mental health initiatives: azed.gov Children's Action Alliance
Arizona-specific child and youth advocacy including education funding: azchildren.org


Key terms to know:

Proposition 123
Arizona school funding ballot measure ESSER Funds
Federal COVID relief money that schools used for mental health staff, now expired RBHA
Regional Behavioral Health Authorities — the local agencies responsible for mental health service


A note on this section

 We'll update this page as legislation moves and new developments emerge. If you see something we should add, reach out through our Take Action page.


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