From vision to action

In tandem with today’s observance of World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is unveiling its Never a Bother campaign in partnership with Grammy Award-winning artist and mental health advocate Megan Thee Stallion. The youth suicide prevention campaign is designed to heighten awareness of suicide prevention tools and resources before, during and after a crisis.

Sharmil Shah, Assistant Deputy Director at California Department of Health Care Access and Information recently spoke to EdSource about an exciting new profession for youth interested in behavioral health. Read and find out how Certified Wellness Coaches can make a difference for youth.

Mia has few places in her community to turn to for support outside of her family and friends. San Juan Capistrano — where more than 1 out of every 5 residents live in poverty, and about 1 of every 8 are uninsured — lacks enough healthy spaces for young people to come together and support one another. That’s about to change.

Gyasi Mitchell’s acceptance of therapy and support for his depression began with an invitation to a park. Mitchell, 22, was lying in bed in a youth shelter in South Los Angeles. He heard Moises Rodriguez, a counselor, in the hallway outside his room announcing that a therapeutic exercise session was going to start across the street, at the South Park Recreation Center. Mitchell went to the park and joined a pickup basketball game with others from the shelter.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) today awarded $56 million to 54 organizations across 34 counties through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). This funding will expand access to early childhood mental health and wellness services, including services focused on prevention, early intervention, and resiliency/recovery for children and youth, with a specific focus on children and youth who are from the following groups: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Live Beyond, a CYBHI campaign led by the Office of the California Surgeon General, promotes healing from Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs, and toxic stress. During the summer of 2024, Live Beyond was proud to partner with the Drew League, a professional-amateur basketball league in South-Central Los Angeles. Learn more about the collaboration and impact.

California's Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative created a new profession to help fill in gaps and enhance mental health support for youth. Learn more about Wellness Coaches, managed by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, in this KPBS story.

The California Surgeon General's Live Beyond ACEs and Toxic Stress campaign is bringing individuals closer to healing through education and awareness. Through a partnership with The Drew League, a pro–am basketball league in LA, they are reaching even more youth and caregivers with messages of hope. Watch Big 50 & his son Tyrone Riley IV talk about how they support each other, manage stress, and how basketball and the Drew helped them live beyond ACEs.

California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos teamed up with one of the Live Beyond’s ACEs and Toxic Stress campaigns' youth advisors to talk about her journey with Adverse Childhood Experiences and make sure all Californian’s know healing is possible.

Amidst the natural beauty we have here in Tehama County, there is a grimmer reality that often gets overlooked. As an active community member doing my part to support children and families – including growing my own in Tehama County – I’ve seen firsthand the unique struggles that impact my home.

California is celebrating an exciting new chapter with the certification of the first 15 Certified Wellness Coaches. Learn more about Deziana Torres, one of the first to receive her certification, and discover what led her to become a Certified Wellness Coach.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and young people are in a mental health crisis. Two apps now available across California provide 24/7 access to care for free, hoping to keep daily stress from becoming much more.

The California Department of Public Health is piloting a new approach toward youth suicide and suicide attempts by designating them as reportable health events, activating local-level crisis response and resource connections.

Kedren Health has served as a lifeline for generations of South Los Angeles families. The organization provides critical primary care and behavioral health services to thousands of South L.A. children, youth, adults, and families.

In her office at Father Joe’s Village Health Center, Kimberly Knopik has come a long way from where she used to be. After once experiencing homelessness, being incarcerated, and addiction, Knopik is helping others at Father Joe’s as a substance use disorder counselor.

Mental health support is just a tap away for Californian families in need. Earlier this year, the state launched two new mental health apps, Soluna for teens and adults and Brightlife Kids for parents and caregivers.