Michael Mason, Section Chief of San Francisco Fire Department’s Community Paramedicine Division, named as first Champion
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SACRAMENTO (May 5, 2026) – The Steinberg Institute is thrilled to announce the selection of four 2026 Steinberg Institute Champions, to be unveiled each week throughout May as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. This year’s class honors exceptional Californians whose visionary leadership and tireless dedication are transforming California’s behavioral health landscape.
“Our 2026 Champions represent the very best of California—leaders who are driving real change in our behavioral health system. While their work looks different on the ground, they are united by a commitment to meeting people where they are with dignity and care. Their work shows what’s possible when we build systems that truly respond to people’s needs.”
Karen Larsen, LMFT
CEO, Steinberg Institute
The first 2026 Steinberg Institute Champion is Michael Mason. As Section Chief of the San Francisco Fire Department Community Paramedicine Division, Chief Mason is rewriting the script for mental health and substance use crisis response in California.
Mason’s work is centered on the premise that people in crisis deserve the right support, in the right setting, at the right time. Under his leadership, the SFFD is moving away from the “default” ER transport. Instead, Mason is leading the Street Crisis Response Teams and overdose response initiatives, which meet individuals exactly where they are.
As cities across California grapple with rising mental health needs and strained emergency systems, community paramedicine offers a compassionate, on-the-ground solution that reduces unnecessary ER visits and improves outcomes for people in crisis. Learn more about Michael’s work and impact here.
One 2026 Champion will also receive the Richard Van Horn Award, an honor established in memory of the late Richard Van Horn—one of California’s most respected mental health advocates.
To follow along as the 2026 Champions and the Richard Van Horn Award winner are revealed, visit www.steinberginstitute.org/champions.
Contact Kelsey McGillis () for more information.