On August 18, 2022, Governor Newsome discussed California’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health to increase access to mental health and substance use supports for all Californians ages 0-25. One of the key components of the Master Plan is the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), which will boost coverage options and public awareness over the coming years so all children and youth are routinely screened, supported and served. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget allocated $4.7 billion to the CYBHI to create new virtual platforms and establish a new pipeline for the mental health workforce, adding 40,000 new mental health workers in the state.
For kids and families needing help now, some elements of the Governor’s plan are already available to all California kids, including the Children’s Mental Health Resources Hub, which offers kids and parents a central hub for a variety of resources, including several support hotlines, CalHOPE and informational guides on suicide and depression warning signs.