The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is spearheading statewide and local Public Education and Change Campaigns, in close collaboration with youth, to raise awareness of behavioral health among children, youth, caregivers, and communities in California. This collaborative approach is crucial as it ensures that the campaigns are designed with the needs and perspectives of the community in mind. The overarching goal is to diminish the stigma surrounding mental, emotional, behavioral health, and substance use disorders, fostering increased help-seeking behavior and wellness support. Through multilingual and multicultural media initiatives, the campaigns empower diverse communities to leverage their cultural best practices, eliminating stigma.
Key objectives include public education, normalization, and support for preventing and intervening in mental health issues, addressing disparities, and promoting equity. Achievements involve the development of stigma-free campaigns in collaboration with various partners emphasizing cultural, linguistic, and age appropriateness to reduce discrimination and bring awareness to vital resources in support of five priority populations: Black and African Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Native Americans, and LGBTQ+. This initiative brings hope and optimism, considering the unique needs of transitional-age youth, persons with disabilities, justice-involved youth, foster care youth, and those living in rural areas.
