Mental Health

Bill would let therapists and social workers decide when to confine mentally ill Californians

In California, it’s usually police who confine mentally ill people for involuntary 72-hour holds so they can be evaluated and treated. A pending bill would extend the so-called 5150 confinement authority to county-designated psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed marriage and family therapists and clinical counselors.

By

Ryan Sabalow

• January 30, 2024

Health

Mental health programs that served hundreds of kids to close after California payment changes

California is modernizing how it pays health care providers through Medi-Cal. Some mental health providers say the changes endanger their services.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• December 21, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to the media after announcing the state's plan to address homelessness across the state at Cal Expo in Sacramento, on March 16, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Mental Health

‘You have a crisis out there’: Gavin Newsom scolds counties over delays in mental health law

All but two California counties are delaying their implementation of a new law that makes it easier for a court to place someone in involuntary confinement if they can't care for their own medical needs or personal safety.

By

Kristen Hwang

and

Ana B. Ibarra

• December 16, 2023

Mental Health

California mental health agency on the hot seat as lawmakers review ‘groundbreaking’ law

A 2020 California law expanded the number of mental health conditions that insurers must cover. Now, lawmakers are reviewing whether the law is working as intended.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• October 17, 2023

Health

Kaiser agrees to $200 million settlement over California mental health delays

Kaiser patients waited 19 days for follow-up mental health appointments in 2019, nine days longer than state law permits. The settlement includes the largest-ever penalty issued by California’s behavioral health regulator.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• October 12, 2023

Health

Gavin Newsom signs law in ‘overhaul’ of mental health system. It changes decades of practice

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature mental health policies allow the involuntary treatment of more Californians with severe mental illnesses. Some fear the new laws will infringe on the civil liberties of people confined against their will.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• October 10, 2023

Maksim Batuyev is an environmental activist who runs climate cafes in Los Angeles. Sept. 27, 2023. Photo by Lauren Justice for Cal Matters

Mental Health

Climate change took them to ‘dark places.’ Now these Californians are doing something about it

The facts of climate change can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair. Some California activists are creating communities for people to talk about those feelings.

By

Shreya Agrawal

• October 10, 2023

People sit on the sidewalk of G Street in a small homeless encampment in the Chinatown neighborhood of Fresno on Feb. 10, 2022. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters

Mental Health

Gavin Newsom’s mental health plan is going to voters. Here’s what you need to know

California collects a special tax on high incomes to fund mental health services. Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to change how the money is spent so a share of it can be used to fund housing for homeless people with mental illnesses.

By

Kristen Hwang

• September 15, 2023

A person stands next to tents on a sidewalk in San Francisco on April 21, 2020. Photo by Jeff Chiu, AP Photo

Mental Health

‘We are horrified’: Late changes to Newsom’s $6 billion mental health bond surprise advocates

California voters likely will see a mental health ballot measure on the March 2024 election. One would issue a $6 billion bond to create housing for people with mental illnesses.

By

Kristen Hwang

• September 14, 2023

Mental Health

Gavin Newsom gives ground to critics on his mental health plan. Will voters back it?

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants counties to spend some revenue from California’s so-called “millionaire’s tax” on the state’s homeless crisis. That alarms advocates for programs that are getting that money today.

By

Kristen Hwang

• August 17, 2023