Need Help Now? Mental Health Crisis Resources 

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.

Arizona Crisis Hotlines: 

•  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
• Northern AZ: 1-877-756-4090
• Southern AZ: 1-866-495-6735

National Crisis Hotlines: 

• 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 Substance Use and Disorder Issues Referral and Treatment Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

LGBTQ+ Crisis Hotlines: 

• The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Hotline): Phone: 1-866-488-7386 or Text: START to 678-678
• Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

Who is required to receive Suicide Prevention Training in Arizona? 

• The Mitch Warnock Act, also known as S.B. 1463: The law went into effect at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year and mandates that all school staff who interact with students in grades 6 through 12 must receive suicide prevention training at least once every three years. Each person who is required to obtain training shall complete that training at least once every three years. Read more here. 
• Learn more by watching this Suicide Prevention Legislation Webinar or viewing this Suicide Prevention for Educators (ARS 15-120) PowerPoint Presentation
• AHCCCS, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), announces their selections for school suicide prevention training options, as mandated in Senate Bill 1468. School administrators can choose from among these materials as they work toward meeting the statute’s requirements. Read the AHCCCS training overview here. 
• AHCCCS's Arizona Suicide Prevention and Training FAQs or learn more about Suicide Prevention across the state here.

NEW RESOURCE! How can students access mental health support in an education environment? 

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.

• School and Behavioral Health Partnerships: A Resource Guide-This guide was created to support schools and districts wishing to build or improve infrastructure, and relationships with behavioral health providers.
• Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System: This page offers more information about specific services, funding sources, and programs available for school-age youth.
• Accessing/Paying for Behavioral Health: This printable guide helps understand how to access and pay for behavioral health services for students. 

Social Emotional Learning Competencies, Resources, & Funding Guide

Arizona Social Emotional Learning Competencies and Resources, for K-12 through adulthood, released August 2020.  Sign and submit the SEL Pledge!  

SEL in Homes & Communities plus, Confident Parents Confident Kids 

Please call the Family Assistance Center phone line to talk to someone who can provide emotional support and offer resources to any parent, especially those who need help parenting a child with emotional or behavioral health challenges: 1-877-568-8468 or visit www.familyinvolvementcenter.org/

Resources for Creating Safe & Supportive Learning Environments

Project AWARE 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.

• 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.
• Child Trends What Works Database: Searchable register of over 700 programs that have had at least one randomized evaluation to assess child or youth outcomes related to education, life skills, and social/emotional, mental, physical, behavioral, or reproductive health
• Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): A trusted source for knowledge about high-quality, evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL). CASEL supports educators and policy leaders and enhances the experiences and outcomes for all PreK-12 students.

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 social, 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, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students, including students with disabilities and students from underrepresented groups.

• Arizona Department of Education ESS (Exceptional Student Services) PBIS Information

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. 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition: Mission - To change those conditions that result in suicidal acts in Arizona through awareness, intervention, and action

Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guide Training 

Does your school have a Comprehensive School Threat Assessment (CSTAG) Team?
Learn more here: https://www.azed.gov/shs/schoolthreatassessment/

Contact Us

Project AWARE is part of the School Safety & Social Wellness Department within the Divison of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.  Click here to contact us! 

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Click the AWARE Logo to see a video about Project AWARE!

The purpose of Project A.W.A.R.E. Arizona is to: increase awareness of mental health issues in young people, train school personnel to detect and respond to mental health issues and connect youth and their families to behavioral health resources.

Project AWARE supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan of activities, services, and strategies to decrease youth violence and support the healthy development of school-aged youth. Arizona Department of Education (ADE), in partnership with Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), is working to implement Project AWARE throughout Arizona. Project A.W.A.R.E. is a five-year grant (2018 - 2023) funded through the Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA). ​