Empowering Minds Conference
HOSTED BY ARIZONA YOUTH PARTNERSHIP
Thank you to all our incredible attendees, speakers, sponsors, and partners for making the Empowering Minds Conference a meaningful and impactful event.
Your commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention helps strengthen communities across Arizona and beyond.
About the Conference
The Empowering Minds Conference, hosted by Arizona Youth Partnership, is a first-of-its-kind, one-day, high-impact event designed to bring together over 200 Arizonans in a unified effort to address suicide prevention through education, training, and community engagement.
By combining evidence-based gatekeeper trainings, dynamic keynote speakers, and diverse breakout sessions, Empowering Minds equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to make a meaningful difference in their families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
Gatekeeper Trainings
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in one of three powerful, evidence-based trainings that help build stronger safety nets for youth and adults:
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
Designed for adults who work with youth ages 12–18, including parents, educators, and caregivers. This course teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges in adolescents. Gain the tools to be a first responder in your community.
SafeTALK
A practical, hands-on training that empowers participants to recognize when someone may be thinking about suicide and connect them to life-saving help. No prior experience required, just a willingness to help others and be a proactive part of a safer, more supportive Arizona.
Be-A-Link Yellow Ribbon Training
This compassionate, stigma-reducing training encourages every participant to “be a link” in the chain of support. Learn how to recognize warning signs, reduce barriers to conversation, and build a culture of mental wellness across your personal and professional circles.
Breakout Room Topics
Deepen your understanding and connect with others in sessions led by local experts and professionals. Topics include:
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Mental Health and Supporting Military Families / Veterans / Community
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Presented by the Arizona Coalition for Military Families
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Mental Health in Rural Arizona
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Presented by UA Cooperative Extension, AgriSafe, and the AgriStress Helpline
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Self-Care and Coping Strategies
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Presented by University of Arizona Campus Health
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Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community and Suicide Awareness
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Presented by Sultana Graham, LCSW, LIAC, and Juno the Therapy Dog - Flourish Counseling & Consultation
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Honoring Resilience: Mental Health and Historical Trauma in Indigenous Populations
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Presented by Miguel Flores Jr., LISAC, CSOTS - Holistic Wellness Counseling Consultant Services, LLC
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Supporting Older Adults: Mental Health Across the Lifespan
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Presented by Dr. Hollis, PhD, EdS, MS, CPG
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In Our Own Voice
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Presented by NAMI Southern Arizona
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Who Should Attend
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Parents and Caregivers
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Teachers, School Counselors & Staff
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Nonprofit & Youth Program Leaders
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Healthcare Providers
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First Responders & Law Enforcement
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Veterans, Military Families, and Advocates
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Anyone committed to mental wellness and suicide prevention
Why It Matters
Every life is worth protecting. Suicide is preventable when communities are equipped with knowledge, resources, and connection. The Empowering Minds Conference is your opportunity to be part of a statewide movement to uplift mental health, strengthen support systems, and save lives.
