Sophia Biazus expects to graduate in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Biazus plans to intern as a reporter at the Phoenix New Times this year.
PHOENIX — Teen Lifeline, a local nonprofit dedicated to preventing teen suicide, has introducted an initiative with a goal of reducing repeated suicide attempts. Modeled after the Caring Contacts program for adults, volunteer peer counselors reach out to teens who have been discharged from the hospital following a suicide attempt with supportive phone calls, texts, handwritten notes and care packages.
TUCSON – A mentoring program is using talking circles, adventure outings and overnight camping trips to help young men develop positive and healthy relationships. The goal is to give every boy in middle and high school access to safe and trusted men.
PHOENIX – Valleywise Health is opening a second First Episode Center, an outpatient behavioral health center for young adults experiencing their first serious mental health episode. It can’t come soon enough. There is a dire need for programs that address mental health in young adults not just in Maricopa County but across the country, said Dr. Aris Mosley, a psychiatrist and medical director of the Valleywise Health First Episode Center in Avondale.
PHOENIX — Black community leaders and organizations fight to make Arizona tobacco free.
PHOENIX — On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Democratic leaders vowed to preserve access to contraceptives for all Arizonians. Rep. Athena Salman, D-Tempe, said she plans to introduce a bill during the next legislative session that would assure access to birth control. Gov. Katie Hobbs joined Salman and others at a press conference Thursday to discuss the proposed Arizona Right to Contraception Act.
PHOENIX – An annual report that measures the well-being of children shows slight improvement for Arizona kids, but it also raises child care concerns.
PHOENIX – Legislators outline a proposed bill that would provide healthier methods of guardianship in a town hall meeting at Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus.
TEMPE – The Arizona Board of Regents asked Arizona’s three universities to create real-world solutions to the state’s health care crisis. ASU responded with plans for ASU Health, which includes a new medical school focused on medical engineering and technology.
