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ARIZONA TOWN HALL

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MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, AND HOMELESSNESS

Mental illness, substance use, and homelessness impact people from all walks of life. The effects of these issues extend far beyond the individual — negatively affecting loved ones and threatening public health and safety. Mental illness, substance use, and homelessness often occur together. Sometimes it is homelessness that leads to substance use and/or mental health issues, and sometimes it is substance use and/or mental health issues that leads to homelessness. From there it can be a vicious downward spiral.

In 2022, Arizona had one of the worst homelessness crises in the nation. While homelessness across the country increased by 1% between 2020 and 2022, homelessness in Arizona increased by 23%.

Perhaps you have personally experienced mental illness, substance use or homelessness. Maybe you have a friend, family member or acquaintance who has struggled with one or more of these issues. Or possibly you are someone who wants to find effective and cost-efficient methods for addressing housing, treatment and rehabilitation so that we can reallocate public funds to other needs. In one way or another, mental illness, substance use and homelessness touch the lives of most Arizonans. 


Presentation by Kristi Eustice, Senior Research Analyst, Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Arizona State University on the Arizona Town Hall topic ""Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness"

STATEWIDE TOWN HALL RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT

  • Click here to read the recommendations from the "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness" 114th Statewide Town Hall. 
  • Click here for the Final Report, which includes the Statewide Town Hall recommendations report and list of participants, and the final Community and Future Leaders Town Halls reports.


News and Media Coverage

Phoenix Background Report Launch


Yuma Background Report Launch

Flagstaff Background Report Launch


Community and Future Leaders Town Hall Photos

Statewide Town Hall Photos

"Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness" Programs

Location Program
Program Date & Registration Link
Final Report
Online Yuma County Home Consortium Virtual Town Hall Friday, February 25, 2022 N/A
Phoenix "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness" Background Report Launch Thursday, April 14, 2022 N/A
Yuma/Online Background Report Launch: Yuma Friday, April 15, 2022 N/A
Flagstaff Background Report Launch: Flagstaff Thursday, April 28, 2022 N/A
Yuma/Online SWATH - Mental Health in Yuma County Virtual Town Hall Friday, May 20, 2022 N/A
Yuma/Online SWATH Community Town Hall Friday, June 10, 2022 N/A
Flagstaff 23rd Annual Summer Institute for Behavioral Health Wednesday, July 13, 2022 Click here.
Phoenix New Freedom Community Town Hall Tuesday, August 23, 2022 Click here.
Show Low Rural Arizona-Show Low Community Town Hall Monday, August 29, 2022 Click here.
Prescott Prescott Community Town Hall
Monday, September 12, 2022 Click here.
Clarkdale Verde Valley Future Leaders Training and Town Hall Thursday, September 15, 2022 Click here.
Scottsdale Cave Creek-Carefree Community Town Hall Friday, September 16, 2022 Click here.
Sierra Vista Cochise County Community Town Hall Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Click here.
FlorenceFlorence Community Town HallWednesday, September 28, 2022Click here.
Yuma South West Arizona Town Hall on "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness" Friday, September 30, 2022 Click here.
Online Homelessness to Housing Committee Community Town Hall Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Click here.
Casa Grande Casa Grande Community Town HallTuesday, October 4, 2022 Click here.
Phoenix UA Health Sciences Community Town Hall Wednesday, October 5, 2022 Click here.
Kingman Mohave County Community Town Hall  Thursday, October 6, 2022 Click here.
Flagstaff Flagstaff Community Town Hall  Monday, October 10, 2022  Click here.
PhoenixHuman Services Campus Client Community Town Hall Tuesday, October 11, 2022 Click here.
Thatcher Southeast Arizona Community Town Hall  Friday, October 14, 2022 Click here.
Phoenix Native American Connections Community Town Hall  Tuesday, October 18, 2022 Click here.
PaysonPayson Community Town Hall Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Click here.
Online Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits Community Town HallMonday, October 24, 2022Click here.
Clarkdale Verde Valley Community Town Hall Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Click here.
TucsonPima County Community Town HallThursday, October 27, 2022Click here.
Phoenix ASU Future Leaders Town Hall Thursday, October 27, 2022 Click here.
Bullhead City Bullhead City Community Town Hall  Tuesday, November 1, 2022 Click here.
Tucson

“Exploring Solutions: Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness” 
Presented by Arizona Town Hall and Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health

Wednesday, November 9, 2022 Click here.
Tempe 114th Statewide Town Hall on "Mental Health, Substance Use, and Homelessness" November 14-16, 2022 Click here.

Statewide Town Hall Meal Programs

Monday Breakfast: Welcome, Opening and Overview

Monday Lunch: Panel Presentation on Health and Human Services and Arizona Mayors

  • Paul Deasy, Mayor, City of Flagstaff
  • Craig McFarland, Mayor, City of Casa Grande
  • Corey Woods, Mayor, City of Tempe
  • Rev. Que English, Director, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Monday Dinner: Interactive social activity facilitated by Rising Youth Theater

Tuesday Breakfast: Panel Presentation on Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Arizona Communities

Tuesday Lunch: The Path Forward

Special Performance by Supaman, Hip Hop Artist, Rapper, and Ghost/Thunder Dancer

“Supaman” is Christian Takes Gun Parrish, a Native American dancer and innovative hip hop artist who has dedicated his life to empowering and spreading a message of hope, pride, and resilience through his original art form. He is the recipient of an MTV VMA award, a Nammy “Native American Music Award”, North American Indigenous Image Award, and Tunney Awards. He was awarded The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Award in Canada for best video and was voted MTV’s new Artist of the Week. His 2018 nominations brought him home awards for Best Hip Hop Album and Best Producer for the Indigenous Music Awards.

For information regarding past Town Halls, visit our Past Town Hall Topics page.


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