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

Mental Health

We’re investigating mental health insurance denials in California. What should we know?

California law requires insurance plans to cover medically necessary mental health and addiction treatment. That doesn’t always happen.

By Jocelyn Wiener • April 22, 2024

A teacher greets her students as they enter the classroom on the first day of school at Loma Vista Elementary School in Salinas on Aug. 8, 2023. Photo by Semantha Norris, CalMatters

Commentary

California schools aren’t equipped to handle mental health issues. That needs to change

The youth mental health crisis is well documented, yet most California schools lack the resources, training and capacity to identify concerns and respond. Greater investment, including funds to hire more school counselors, could make a difference.

By Rebecca Pariso • April 17, 2024

Recovering drug addicts Brian Shim comforts Annie An in the Kitchen area of Nanoom Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles. The church doubles as a drug rehab for Korean Americans. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Commentary

Much of California’s homeless population is stuck in cycles of substance use. These strategies can help

Many Californians experiencing homelessness do not have access to the kind of care they need to overcome substance use disorder, which is almost always a significant barrier to finding stable employment or securing permanent housing.

By Kimberly Knopik • April 16, 2024

Deidra Perry, program financial manager for Alameda County Healthcare for the Homeless, takes part in Alameda County’s 2024 point-in-time count in Berkeley on Jan. 25, 2024. The PIT count, which included a voluntary survey, gathers data on the county’s homeless population. Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters

Commentary

California audit says results on homelessness are unclear. The numbers tell a different story

California has created many programs to battle the scourge of homelessness, but a new audit says the agency created to coordinate those programs has failed to do its job.

By Dan Walters • April 10, 2024

A hospital corridor with gurneys and beds. Photo via iStock Photo

Commentary

Prop. 1’s success hinges on California clearing the ‘human logjam’ in its mental health system

The narrow passage of Proposition 1 showed that Californians are skeptical of expensive initiatives to fix homelessness. To make these investments work, the state needs to do more than just pay for new beds – it needs to change how people get into them.

By Alex Barnard • April 8, 2024

A Dia de Los Muertos altar outside the John F. Tavaglione Executive Annex in Riverside county in honor of those killed in the custody of Riverside Sheriff's Department deputies, on Oct. 31, 2023. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters

Justice

California jails are holding thousands fewer people, but far more are dying in them

Gov. Gavin Newsom pledged to address a rise in jail deaths early in his administration. Since then, fentanyl overdoses and suicides have death rates at historic highs.

By Nigel Duara and Jeremia Kimelman • March 25, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom casts his ballot at a polling site at the California Museum in Sacramento on March 5, 2024. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Mental Health

With Prop. 1 passage, Gavin Newsom again changes how Californians with mental illness get help

Gov. Gavin Newsom made mental health a priority since he took office five years ago. The ballot initiative voters approved this week will provide billions of dollars to fund housing and treatment facilities for mentally ill Californians.

By Jocelyn Wiener • March 20, 2024

A portrait of Fredreaka Jack rests on a bible at Sharon Jack's home in Metairie, Louisiana on April, 5 2023. Photo by Cedric Angeles for CalMatters

Justice

Three months after leaving the state hospital, she was supposed to be free. Instead she was dead

It was clear 37-year-old Fredreaka Jack needed intense mental and physical health care. Yet California’s publicly funded parole system failed to make sure she got it.

By Byrhonda Lyons • March 12, 2024

Elections

Update: California voters narrowly approve Prop. 1, Gavin Newsom’s mental health overhaul

Recent polls show many Californians were undecided heading into Election Day on Gov. Newsom’s Proposition 1, which would fund new mental health treatment facilities.

By Kristen Hwang and Jeanne Kuang • March 5, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks in support of Prop. 1 during a press conference at the United Domestic Workers of America building in San Diego on Feb. 29, 2024. Photo by Kristian Carreon for CalMatters

Mental Health

Gavin Newsom hits the road for Prop. 1 as support falls for his mental health measure

Gov. Gavin Newsom is visiting four cities to drum up support for Prop. 1, a $6.4 billion bond for mental health facilities. Opponents say the state can't afford the plan.

By Kristen Hwang and Nigel Duara • March 1, 2024