Yavapai County, AZ – MATFORCE, a primary prevention organization dedicated to preventing youth substance use before it begins, will present two community events focused on mental health strategies this September
MATFORCE Announces a New Virtual Prevention Presentation for the Fall Seas
On Thursday, September 24th, 2026, at 11:00 am, Jennifer Leiben, Nursing Manager, and Jenny Franciose, Clinical Training Manager, from Polara Health, will present Every Life Matters: A Community Conversation on Suicide Prevention.
Gain the knowledge and confidence to recognize warning signs of suicide, respond with compassion and connect individuals to appropriate support. Participants will learn practical intervention skills, explore risk and protective factors and become familiar with local behavioral health and crisis resources.
This 1-hour virtual presentation is free, but registration is required. To register or obtain more information, visit matforce.org, call (928) 708-0100, or send an email to info@matforceaz.org.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training in Cottonwood
Learn how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18 in this 7-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid training. Open to the community and anyone interested in learning how to help children and adolescents through a mental health crisis.
This free, in-person class is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and will be held, in collaboration with C3 Cottonwood and Applejack’s Ranch, at C3 Cottonwood, 1580 E Fir Street, Cottonwood, AZ 86326.
**FREE childcare will be provided** All participants must register in advance, and the registration deadline is 9/21/2026.
For more information about this class or to register, contact us at (928) 708-0100 or info@matforceaz.org. For information about MATFORCE, visit matforce.org
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MATFORCE is a community organization that educates and raises awareness about substance abuse issues, and advocates for policy change throughout Yavapai County. With over 300 active volunteers, MATFORCE encompasses the belief that stopping drug use before it starts through primary prevention strategies is an essential part of building healthier communities. Programs of MATFORCE include drug prevention education in schools, the Yavapai Reentry Project, Trauma Lens Care, public awareness and education campaigns, and advocating for policy change at the state and local level. For more information about MATFORCE visit matforce.org or our family of websites: MarijuanaHarmlessThinkAgain.org | OpioidOD.com | YavapaiReentryProject.org | TraumaLensCare.org | SACLAz.org | NaloxoneAZ.com | TalkNowAZ.com | LearnMoreAZ.org | TheNewMeth.com | CommunityReentryProjects.org | AZDrugSummit.org