Mental Health America of California (MHAC)

06/03/2026

We had the pleasure of meeting with ’s staff to talk about impact the May Revise’s proposal to eliminate the ’s Community Advocacy Program will have on underrepresented communities across Califonria. Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns!
Advocacy, outreach, education, and training are the essential infrastructure that makes behavioral health care accessible. They help people identify their needs, navigate a complex system, connect to treatment and housing, and participate in the decisions that shape their care.

06/02/2026

This Pride Month, we're celebrating the communities, advocates, and partners who make our LIVE Program what it is. LIVE is a statewide movement powered by the dedication of our LIVE partners across California, whose WERK is helping to build a more equitable and affirming behavioral health system for LGBTQ+ communities. To every LIVE partner, thank you. Your advocacy for LGBTQ+ mental health and wellness is truly changing lives. We are proud to do this WERK alongside you. Happy Pride from all of us at Mental Health America of California.

Stonewall Alliance Chico
North County LGBTQ Resource Center -
MoPRIDE
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Asian Mental Health Project
VROC-Viet Rainbow of Orange County
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Library Foundation SD
San Diego Central Library
Drag Story Hour
Reach La
Positive Images
The Sacramento LGBT Community Center
VAALA: Vietnamese American Arts and Letters Association

05/27/2026

05/26/2026

Mental Health America of California is proud to stand with Youth Leadership Institute, Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH), Cal Voices, and NAMI at today's press conference to oppose Gov. Newsom's May Revise that eliminates CBH's Community Advocacy Grant Program.

We heard powerful testimony from youth, behavioral health leaders, and advocates about the important role stakeholders play in the decision making process. "Nothing About Us Without Us" means no policy, program, or law should be decided without the full and direct participation of the people it affects. That means ensuring clients and consumers, diverse racial and ethnic communities, families, LGBTQIA+ populations, parents and caregivers, transition age youth, veterans, K-12 youth, and immigrants and refugees have a voice when decisions about their behavior health supports and services are being made. CBH's Community Advocacy Grant Program is the only state dedicated funding to ensure these under and unserved communities can be represented.

05/22/2026

Mental Health America of California believes deeply in the power of community. Speaking up about mental health is essential to challenging stigma and inspiring hope, and our voices grow stronger when we speak up together. By uniting, we build momentum and connection that improve the lives of those facing mental health challenges. Hear what folks had to say about this year’s Mental Health Matters Day!

Thank you to our sponsors:
Neurocrine Biosciences
National Union of Healthcare Workers
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA)
Bristol Myers Squibb

05/22/2026

Mental Health America of California believes deeply in the power of community. Speaking up about mental health is essential to challenging stigma and inspiring hope, and our voices grow stronger when we speak up together. By uniting, we build momentum and connection that improve the lives of those facing mental health challenges. Hear what folks had to say about this year’s Mental Health Matters Day!

 Thank you to our sponsors: 
 Neurocrine Biosciences
 National Union of Healthcare Workers
 California Alliance of Child & Family Services
 County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA)
 Bristol Myers Squibb

05/15/2026

The Governor's May Revise proposes eliminating CBH’s Community Advocacy Program!

This cut would dismantle the program that funds trusted community-based organizations to provide advocacy, training and education, and outreach and engagement, core to BHSA’s promise of “Nothing about us without us.” Eliminating it would reduce meaningful consumer and family participation in behavioral health planning and oversight, and disrupt community-led work already underway.

CBH is deeply concerned about this proposal and is committed to working to restore full ongoing funding for the Community Advocacy Program in the final budget.

📝 Take action today by sending an opposition letter to the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review and Assembly Budget committees: https://bhsoac.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/May-Revise-Advocacy-Program-Oppose-Letter-Template-5.14.26.docx

🏢 Senate Budget & Fiscal Review: [email protected]
🏢 Assembly Budget: [email protected]

✔️ Stay ready: Senate/Assembly budget hearings are coming in the next couple weeks. When this issue is agendized, please show up to provide public comment and urge restoration of full IPF funding. Sign up for updates:

🏤 Senate Budget Sub 3 (Health): https://sbud.senate.ca.gov/newsletter
🏤 Assembly Budget Sub 1 (Health): https://www.assembly.ca.gov/newsletter

Thank you for taking action to protect community voice, accountability, and equitable BHSA implementation.

05/14/2026

Congratulations to our Mental Health Matters Day gift card winners and the winner of the grand prize gift tote, provided by Visit Sacramento! We hope you enjoy and come back again next year!

05/12/2026

What are you most excited about? Are you ready for Mental Health Matters Day? You don't want to miss out!

The event is tomorrow, May 13th , 2026 from 10AM to 1PM at the California State Capitol Park on L and 14th Street. Thrive in Community with us and Cultivate Wellness and Compassion for all! Help spread mental health awareness and support healing and recovery in your community.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Neurocrine Biosciences
National Union of Healthcare Workers
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA)
Bristol Myers Squibb

05/12/2026

Senator Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist, and the founder and past director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. In 2018, she became the first African American to be elected to the La Mesa City Council, where she worked to implement the city’s Climate Action Plan and championed the creation of both a Community Police Oversight Board and the La Mesa homelessness task force. In April of 2021, she was elected to represent California’s 79th Assembly District, where she served as chair of the Budget Subcommittee #1 on Health and founded and chaired the Select Committee on the Social Determinants of Health, which focused on societal factors such as education, housing and the environment, and their impact on health and disparate health outcomes. In November 2024, she became the first African American south of Los Angeles County to be elected to the California State Senate. She now represents the 39th State Senate District and serves as Chair of the Senate Health Committee and is Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus.

We are excited to have Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson, M.D. speak and present Senate Concurrent Resolution 145 Mental Health Peer Appreciation Week at Mental Health Matters Day! Attend our FREE event tomorrow, May 13th , 2026 from 10AM to 1PM at the California State Capitol Park on L and 14th Street. Thrive in Community with us and Cultivate Wellness and Compassion for all! Help spread mental health awareness and support healing and recovery in your community.

Thank you to our sponsors:
Neurocrine Biosciences
National Union of Healthcare Workers
California Alliance of Child and Family Services
County Behavioral Health Directors Association (CBHDA)
Bristol Myers Squibb