Mental Health - CalMatters

CalFire firefighter Bo Santiago lights a backfire as the Rocky fire burns near Clearlake in 2015. Photo by Josh Edelson, AP Photo

Firefighters’ mental health is at risk. A California bill could help.

by Julie Cart May 24, 2023May 24, 2023

After unanimously clearing the Senate, a bill expanding first responders’ access to workers’ comp for PTSD moves to the Assembly.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a proposed a 2024 ballot initiative to improve mental health services across the state, at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego on March 19, 2023. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool

California may change its mental health funding. Why that might cut some services.

by Kristen Hwang April 3, 2023April 3, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom announces a proposed a 2024 ballot initiative to improve mental health services across the state, at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego on March 19, 2023. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool

California mental health funding may get overhauled

by Lynn La April 3, 2023April 3, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at San Quentin State Prison announcing that the facility will be transformed to focus on training and rehabilitation on March 17, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Newsom displays penchant for shiny new things on California tour

by Dan Walters March 26, 2023March 22, 2023

From left, Kathleen Navales and Delphina Garcia Penrod comfort each other while honoring their ancestors inside the cemetery at the Carmel Mission in Carmel in 2015. Photo by Michael Fiala, Reuters

Can a suicide hotline help California’s Native Americans?

by Lynn La March 24, 2023March 24, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at San Quentin State Prison announcing that the facility will be transformed to focus on training and rehabilitation on March 17, 2023. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Homelessness, rehabilitation and health care: What to know about Newsom’s legacy tour

by Sameea Kamal and Alexei Koseff March 20, 2023March 20, 2023

living wage

How much is a living wage in California?

by Sameea Kamal February 13, 2023February 12, 2023

CalAIM seeks to improve the availability of mental health care for young people insured by Medi-Cal but, a year since it's rollout obstacles remain. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

Will the state’s big Medi-Cal plan really fix mental health care for low-income Californians?

by Jocelyn Wiener and Kristen Hwang February 2, 2023February 2, 2023

A student draws in class at San Antonio Elementary School in Lockwood on May 11, 2022. Photo by David Rodriguez for CalMatters/ CatchLight Local/ The Californian

For many California children, Medi-Cal mental health services lack urgency they need

by Guest Commentary January 19, 2023January 18, 2023