Family resources
Resources for student social and emotional wellness

Teen Lifeline

602-248-8336

What is Teen Lifeline? (video)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

988

Text 'TALK' to 741741

www.afsp.org/find-support

Crisis Response Network

602-222-9444

www.crisisnetwork.org

Click here or dial 2-1-1

The 2-1-1 Arizona Information and Referral Service operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week and every day of the year. Live-operator service is available at all times in English and Spanish and assistance is available in other languages via real-time interpreter services.2-1-1 Arizona operators will help individuals and families find resources that are available to them locally, throughout the state, and provide connections to critical services, including:

• Supplemental Food and Nutrition Programs
• Shelter and Housing Options
• Utilities Assistance
• Emergency Information and Disaster Relief
• Employment and Education Opportunities
• Services for Veterans
• Healthcare, vaccination and health epidemic information
• Addiction Prevention and Rehabilitation Programs
• Re-entry help for ex-offenders
• Support groups for individuals with mental illnesses or special needs
• A safe, confidential path out of physical and/or emotional domestic violence 

United Food Bank

Arizona Food Bank Network Find a food bank near you.

The Cox Connect2Compete program provides affordable internet to qualified households for as low as $9.95 per month. To qualify for the Cox Connect2Compete affordable internet program, your household must have at least one K-12 student and participate in a government assistance program.

Southwest Behavioral Health
602-696-4287

A New Leaf
480-969-4024

Valle del Sol Community Health
602-258-6797

Community Bridges
877-931-9142

EMPACT - La Frontera
480-784-1514

Native Health
480-550-4048

Birth to Five Helpline
877-705-KIDS

Parent Partners Plus
602-633-0732

Students adjust differently when making a transition to a new school. Students may be transitioning due to any number of reasons, including moving into the district, changing schools due to age (elementary to middle school to high school), or due to their enrollment management assignment.

The keys to a smooth transition include:

• Be positive

• Be involved

• Be transparent

• Talk through any concerns

Great Schools provides 11 tips on how to adjust to a new school.
Help Your Child Adjust to School Life. (video)

Childhood trauma isn’t something you just get over as you grow up. Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain. This unfolds across a lifetime, to the point where those who’ve experienced high levels of trauma are at triple the risk for heart disease and lung cancer.

How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime. (video)

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) questionnaire.

The truth about ACEs.

If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed with thoughts of anxiety, depression or suicide, reach out to a helpline immediately. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or if you prefer to text, send 'TALK' to 741741.

Anxiety/Depression Resources:

If you are seeking additional, professional help from a mental health care facility, please reach out to the a representative at the resources listed below:

Aurora Behavioral Health
Southwest Behavioral Health

Mesa Public Schools offers multiple resources for students and families, including directions on how to report bullying in your child's school.

Governing Board bullying policy
Stop bullying
What is cyberbullying?

When life is overwhelming, if someone is worried about a loved one, or if someone just needs a caring person to listen, Crisis Response Network provides immediate and confidential help. Everyone faces crisis, but no one needs to go through it alone. The Crisis Response Network has experienced, professionally trained Crisis Specialists who are ready to respond 24/7/365 to whatever crisis an individual is facing. Call 602-222-9444 for help at any time.

Talking about COVID-19 with young children

How to talk to your child about coronavirus

Early learner resources

Birth to Five Helpline: Free support for families with questions or concerns about their infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Call 877-705-KIDS.

Lutheran Social Services Family Resource Center: Offers virtual family resource centers and online classes.

Child care

Child care resource and referral
Birth to Five Helpline

(Mesa Public Schools neither endorses nor sponsors the organization or activity represented in this material. The publication of this material is provided as a community service.)

The National Eating Disorders Association provides valuable resources for parents, including a screening tool and links to support groups and other resources.

Eating disorder prevention.
For teens: Accept, like and take care of your body.
5 signs your child might have an eating disorder. (video)
"I Stopped Eating for Two Weeks to Get Thinner" (video)

The district and the state provide many resources for our foster care families. 

Mesa Public Schools Title I Foster Care

Arizona family resources

Under Arizona law A.R.S. 15-2301 every public school must prohibit hazing.

Hazing is when a student, or group of students, who are connected with a school organization force another student to do an act that is either: humiliating, undignified, or could cause injury in order to become a member or maintain a membership or affiliation of that school organization.

Hazing prevention

Any death can be difficult for a child, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral responses are common including changes in sleeping pattern or appetite; sad, angry, or anxious feelings; social isolation; persistent thoughts about the death; or feeling the person's presence nearby. Adults should let a grieving child know that they are available to listen and help. Hugging and touching help the grieving child feel secure in expressing emotions, providing reassurance of continued love and care.

How to talk to your child about death
More tips to help your child cope with death
Common questions about how to help a child with the grieving process
The Small Creature - an animated video to help bereaved children

Homeless and at-risk families seeking shelter may contact the Family Housing Hub at 602-595-8700 for an emergency screening for shelter placement.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance

Rights of homeless students 

Derechos de los estudiantes sin vivienda 

Student Referral Questionnaire 

Cuestionario de Recomendación del Estudiante

Maricopa Heat Relief Regional Network

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery in which individuals perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud or coercion. Minors under age 18 engaging in commercial sex are considered to be victims of human trafficking, regardless of the use of force, fraud or coercion. Sex traffickers frequently target victims and then use violence, threats, lies, false promises, debt bondage, or other forms of control and manipulation to keep victims involved in the sex industry for their own profit.

Human Trafficking guideline for parents and caregivers
Human Trafficking Resources | Governor's Office of Youth, Faith and Family

Preschool developmental screening
School readiness classes via Parent University
Head Start programs at district elementary schools

If you have experienced or witnessed an act of sexual harassment, discrimination, or dating/partner violence, you are encouraged to report the incident to the District’s Title IX Coordinator. 

Struggling to keep up with the media and tech your kids are using? Refer to the district's educational technology digital citizenship resources.  

Substance abuse assistance

As a parent, it can be difficult trying to figure out how and when to bring up topics such as alcohol and drugs in your child’s life. KidsHealth.org provides brief information on common drugs as well as how to talk about them with your kids.

Ask Listen Learn provides kid-friendly cartoons that help parents start the conversation of how alcohol affects kids’ brains.

National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens provides a helpful website that discusses what drugs such as marijuana, bath salts, cocaine, etc., do to the body. There are also games that help explain the repercussions in a teen-friendly way.

How Substance Use Disorders Develop (video)

No matter what problems a child is facing, resources are available to help him/her find a reason to keep living. By calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) children at risk for suicide will be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. They can also text 741-741 and type HELP. Someone will respond who is trained to help.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides information, support, warning signs, risk factors, statistics and treatment regarding suicide. 

What is a JUUL?

A JUUL is an e-cigarette/vaping device that resembles a USB flash drive and can be recharge in any USB port (such as a laptop). JUULs have a subtle and sleek design that can easily be hidden from parents or teachers. Like traditional tobacco products, vaping is not without serious risks. Parents need to be in the know about the risks and what products are on the market.