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Pima County, Arizona will host its first “Let’s Talk About It” conference on July 25, a free event open to teens ages 13 to 19 that focuses on mental health, substance use and reducing stigma around asking for help.
The event runs from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Groundworks and includes interactive breakout sessions rather than a lecture format.
For families looking for free addiction resources, community events like this one offer a low-barrier way to get young people talking about substance use before a crisis develops, without the cost or commitment of formal treatment.
Who Can Attend and What It Covers
Kimberly Wang, program manager for the Health Department’s Community Mental Health and Addiction Division, said the conference exists because these topics are hard to bring up.
“It’s not always easy to talk about mental health, substance use, or overdose deaths,” Wang said. “That’s why we created Let’s Talk About It. We want every teen to know they are not alone, that asking for help is a sign of strength, and that one conversation can change, or even save, a life.”
The event is free to attend and includes food, live music, and giveaways alongside the breakout sessions, which are designed to reduce stigma and connect teens with practical next steps if they or a friend need support.
Why Pima County Is Prioritizing Overdose Prevention
The conference is part of the Health Department’s broader effort to reduce overdose deaths.
Pima County recorded its deadliest year on record in 2023, with 510 unintentional overdose deaths, including 13 deaths among youth ages 13 to 19. Reaching teens directly, before substance use escalates, is one piece of that larger prevention strategy.
How to Access These Free Resources
Registration for the July 25 conference is encouraged through the county’s official sign-up page.
Families outside Pima County can look for similar no-cost teen programming through local health departments, school district wellness offices, or community mental health organizations, many of which run comparable prevention events at no charge.
For teens or families who need more than a one-day conference can offer, free and low-cost addiction resources extend well beyond single events. Options include:
Community mental health centers that offer sliding-scale or no-cost adolescent counseling.
School-based prevention programs and student assistance counselors.
State-funded substance use treatment programs for uninsured or underinsured families.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, a free, confidential, 24/7 service at 1-800-662-4357 that connects callers to local treatment and support resources.
Finding Affordable Treatment in Arizona
Beyond one-time events, families dealing with a teen’s substance use or mental health concerns can take a few concrete steps to find ongoing, affordable support:
- Check whether your family qualifies for Medicaid coverage of adolescent addiction or mental health treatment.
- Ask a school counselor or pediatrician about free or low-cost local referral options before paying out of pocket.
- Search for community nonprofits that specialize in teen substance use prevention and early intervention.
Rehabs.org connects families with free and low-cost addiction treatment options nationwide, so cost does not have to be the reason a teen goes without support. Call
800-914-7089
(
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to get in contact with a treatment advisor.
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