54 youth mental health programs win state grants

A psychiatric hospital in Los Angeles, an adolescent substance abuse facility in Orange County and a tribal outpatient center in Humboldt County are among the 54 projects to share $480.5 million in grants promoting youth mental health and wellness, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.

The grants are part of the state’s Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health, a priority for Newsom and the Legislature since anxiety, depression and stress among young people has soared in recent years, due to Covid, social media, climate change, school shootings, rising college costs and other factors.

“We’re overhauling our mental health system to connect young Californians with the care and support they need,” Newsom said. “Too many Californians are struggling with mental illness and substance abuse. This funding will support critical mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities that have committed to serving the diverse range of children and youth covered by Medi-Cal.”

The grants are part of a $2.1 billion program under the state Department of Health Care Services. Other grant programs also focus on mental health, including crisis care mobile units, behavioral health and other issues.

Among the youth mental health grantees are community health clinics, residential treatment facilities, crisis programs, school health centers and other projects.