CalMatters is your nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to explaining how state government impacts our lives.

Mental Health

CalMatters and CatchLight are partnering on a three-year initiative to tell powerful stories about mental health in California. We’ll spotlight solutions, personal stories, investigate systems, and bring greater awareness to this historically stigmatized topic. This initiative is supported by:

Enlight Foundation
California Health Care Foundation
Flourish Impact Fund
Lisa Stone Pritzker Family Foundation
Resonance Philanthropies
Sarlo Family Foundation
Sand Hill Foundation
Stuart Foundation

A person stands in a dark room, looking out through two glass doors, while wearing a polo shirt that reads “The Lake” on the chest. Light is shining through the glass doors, illuminating part of the room and allowing the outside to be visible.

Mental Health

She kept challenging one of California’s biggest health insurers. Then, it tried to cut her off

A California addiction center found a way to compel Anthem to cover patients it rejected. Their dispute reflects a broader tug-of-war in mental health treatment.

By Jocelyn Wiener and Byrhonda Lyons • July 22, 2025

An overhead view of a person walking through a small patch of light in between a wide shadow at a school campus.

Commentary

What California still doesn’t understand about men’s mental health

Youth and young adults in California make up just 21% of the population but account for 57% of emergency room visits due to self-harm. It'll take more than awareness months to make a real difference.

By Ayo Banjo • July 17, 2025

A stylized digital collage shows two people talking on phones, facing each other across the image. On the left, a person with short hair, glasses, and a patterned shirt speaks with a concerned expression. On the right, a person with curly hair pulled back looks thoughtful while holding a phone to their ear. Scribbled white lines near each head symbolize confusion or emotional distress. The background features rough textures and warm-toned graphic shapes in orange and pink.

Mental Health

Mental health support centers are reeling from California budget cuts, with layoffs expected

Operators of mental health support lines are laying off staff and ceasing or curtailing services due to California budget cuts and a 2024 ballot measure.

By Jocelyn Wiener • July 3, 2025

Mental Health

California voters passed a $6.4 billion mental health bond. Now, see where that money is going

It can take a long time to build anything in California. The governor's office is trying to move fast on mental health projects funded by a new bond.

By Marisa Kendall, Jocelyn Wiener and Erica Yee • June 12, 2025

A Sacramento County Sheriff patrol vehicle is parked at a nighttime crime scene, illuminated by red and blue emergency lights. Yellow caution tape hangs from the vehicle's door and stretches across the scene. Additional patrol cars and flashing lights are visible in the background.

Mental Health

Listen: What happens when California cops refuse to respond to mental health calls?

A new podcast episode revisits CalMatters' recent story on police stepping back from mental health calls, and what that shift means for crisis response systems.

By CalMatters Staff • May 16, 2025

A student wearing a pink backpack walks down a hallway lined with several rows of orange lockers at a high school. Several colorful portrait paintings are displayed on the walls.

Mental Health

California promised to boost mental health in schools. Why one key program is behind schedule

Only 14 school districts and county offices of education have begun billing for behavioral health services under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Fee Schedule Program, according to state health officials.

By Ana B. Ibarra • May 8, 2025

A person with medium-length locs sits peacefully on a large mossy rock in a grassy, wooded area. They wear a light gray sweater and a patterned skirt, with jewelry including turquoise earrings and a pendant necklace. Trees and wildflowers fill the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Mental Health

Many Californians can’t get mental health help. Is it too hard to become a therapist?

Despite efforts to increase the number of mental health providers, many students say the training requirements are onerous and costly.

By Adam Echelman • May 7, 2025

Kaiser Permanente in Oakland on Aug. 2, 2022. Photo Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Mental Health

Kaiser in the hot seat as California lawmakers blast company for skipping mental health hearing

California lawmakers called an informational hearing on mental health services at Kaiser Permanente, but the company didn't attend.

By Jocelyn Wiener • May 7, 2025

A person with long hair speaks into a microphone while seated at a desk during a public hearing. Others are seated in the background, slightly out of focus.

Mental Health

An overdose killed her son. Then, California lawmakers asked her to help save others

Ryan Matlock died of a fentanyl overdose after seeking addiction treatment. Today, his mother is urging lawmakers to get tougher on health insurance plans.

By Jocelyn Wiener • May 6, 2025

A person with long dark hair stands among trees, partially obscured by green branches and soft sunlight filtering through the foliage. The individual faces away from the camera, wearing a light-colored textured top, blending into the tranquil forest setting.

Mental Health

They called for urgent help with a mentally ill loved one. Why California police refused

Police agencies — under scrutiny and worried about their own liability — increasingly won't respond to someone in a mental health crisis unless that person is committing a crime. So who will transport people in psychosis to get help? And who will keep those around them safe?

By Lee Romney • April 28, 2025