The BHSA, passed through California’s Proposition 1 in 2024, takes a modern approach to an evolving mental health, substance use, and homelessness crisis Two decades after the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) first transformed California’s behavioral health […]
Full Service partnership (FSP) programs have become a priority for California’s public behavioral health system. But what exactly are they, and why do they matter?
By: Jillian Hughes The devastating fires in California have left many families grappling with loss and uncertainty. Children, in particular, may struggle to process this event, feeling overwhelmed by fear or anxiety. Parents, caregivers and educators can […]
What is parity? The word “parity,” simply means “equality in amount or status.” When used in the context of mental health and substance use disorder care, it refers to the belief that insurance plan benefits offered for […]
By: John Drebinger IIISenior Advocate California faces a critical need to expand access to mental health services. One promising approach is through interstate compacts—agreements that allow licensed professionals to practice across state lines with fewer barriers. By […]
By: Saskia Perks It’s back-to-school season, when children often feel anxious about the upcoming year. Managing anxiety is not an overnight process. It takes both the caregiver and child working together to discover the best coping strategies. […]
By Saskia Perks July 16th marked one year since the nationwide launch of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The lifeline allows anyone in the U.S. to call or text a trained mental health counselor for free […]
“Okay boomer,” are the words you might hear if you ask someone under 30 to put in long work hours or take on more extra responsibilities on the job. Often (and not always accurately) called “quiet-quitting”, this social-media-driven trend encourages people to prioritize their own well-being over their job.
Whether you’re a veteran mental health advocate or a newly inducted legislative staffer, keeping track of all the acronyms used in mental health policies and legislation can get overwhelming. So, we’re here to help reduce the number of times you have to google what “BHCIP” (pronounced BEE-CHIP despite its spelling) is. Or you’re left wondering whether when someone say’s “CSU” in a conversation about mental health crises if they’re talking about a California State University. Spoiler alert: they aren’t.
California relies on multiple streams of revenue to fund public mental health services from federal, state, and local levels. One of the many sources of income is the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). It’s a vital source of funding that directly impacts the care Californians receive for mental health and substance use care.