Providing adequate mental health support for adolescents has become increasingly important over the years. Based on the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, approximately 20% of U.S. high school students reported seriously considering suicide. While federal guidance outlines hundreds of actions to support young people, the statewide mental health campaigns California runs continue to play a crucial role in suicide prevention and early intervention.1,2
Youth Suicide Rates in California
More than three-fourths of those who died by suicide in California in 2021 were male, highlighting a significant California male youth mental health crisis. Specifically, youth suicide rates in California show that males are about twice as likely to die by suicide.3
According to state reporting, firearms were the most commonly used method among males who died by suicide in California in 2021. Among young women, the most frequently reported methods were hanging or suffocation (37%) and poisoning (27%).3 Understanding these differences can help inform suicide prevention outreach efforts for California youth and families.
Half of the individuals identified in the 2021 report who died by suicide had a pre-existing mental health condition, but the other 50% had not received a formal diagnosis prior to death. This highlights the importance of recognizing early warning signs and making urgent treatment accessible.3
Fortunately, the California government has prioritized youth mental health campaigns to address rising suicide rates among young men.
Mission Prep Healthcare specializes in mental health treatment for teens aged 12-17, offering residential and outpatient programs for anxiety, depression, trauma, and mood disorders. Our therapies include CBT, DBT, EMDR, and TMS, tailored to each adolescent’s needs.
With a structured, supportive environment, we integrate academic support and family involvement to promote lasting recovery. Our goal is to help teens build resilience and regain confidence in their future.
Statewide Mental Health Campaigns in California
Recent California youth mental health campaigns have included programs specifically targeting young men who may be at higher risk for suicide. This past year, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to address the California male youth mental health crisis.3-5
The executive order highlights several initiatives to address the current California male youth mental health crisis, which we will discuss below.
Mental Health for All
California developed the Mental Health for All plan to ensure a fair behavioral health system, including efforts to improve access to care for men and boys. Proposition 1 was passed in 2024, and it provided over $6 billion in bond funds to support additional treatment facilities and housing to expand mental health access across the state. This resulted in the creation of new mental health resources for young men in California.5
Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative is part of the Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health. This initiative also improves access to mental health care in California by reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and streamlining reimbursement for mental health services.6
There are four main areas of the Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health:
- Workforce training and capacity: Increasing the number of trained professionals providing California youth behavioral health services.
- Behavioral health system structure: Improving how California adolescent mental health programs are organized, making it easier for families to find the right help.
- Mental health coverage: Supporting California youth suicide prevention efforts by creating simpler coverage pathways for mental health treatment.
- Public awareness: Delivering key public mental health awareness campaigns, such as the Never a Bother Youth Suicide Prevention Media and Outreach Campaign.
Rolling this plan out across schools, workplaces, and medical practices can help provide better suicide prevention outreach to California youth.
The California Community Schools Partnership Program
The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) connects local schools with community agencies and local government. This allows the sharing of resources needed to better support California adolescent mental health programs. The CCSPP was first established in 2021, when state leaders passed the California Community School Partnership Act, and it has expanded significantly over the subsequent years.
Initially, the CCSPP received about $3 billion in funding, which increased to over $4 billion by 2025. A key part of the CCSPP is providing integrated student supports, including health and mental health services, counseling, mentoring, and extracurricular activities. Together, these services help strengthen suicide prevention outreach for California youth by coordinating support for academic, social, and emotional needs.
California Mental Health Programs for Teens
The California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) provides a variety of resources for youth mental health. Two innovative solutions were launched, offering free, safe, and confidential virtual mental health support through mobile applications.7
BrightLife Kids is designed to offer behavioral health coaching for parents, caregivers, and children aged 0-12. Similarly, Soluna provides confidential mental health support to young adults ages 13-25 in California. The CalHHS website also provides links to numerous mental health crisis lines, including 988Lifeline, CalHOPE, and the Youth Crisis Line.7 These services play an important role in California youth suicide prevention efforts by making support more accessible.
Recognizing Warning Signs of Suicide in Teens
An important part of suicide prevention is recognizing early warning signs of a mental health crisis in teens. If you are concerned about your child’s mental health, some signs to watch for include:9
- Reckless behavior
- No sense of purpose
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Sudden mood changes
- Increased anxiety or agitation
- Giving away possessions
- Changes in sleep
- Feeling hopeless, depressed, or trapped
- Talking about wanting to die or suicide
While each child can express depression and suicidal ideation differently, being able to identify some of the common warning signs of depression early can help you find the appropriate mental health services for your child.
Types of California Youth Behavioral Health Services
Upon being diagnosed with a mental health concern, finding the right treatment program to address your child’s specific symptoms is the next step. As a result of the recent statewide legislation and suicide prevention efforts, California youth behavioral health services are more accessible to those who need them.
There are multiple levels of mental health treatment available in California, including inpatient mental health treatment, residential treatment, and outpatient therapy.
Inpatient Treatment
For teens experiencing severe behavioral and emotional symptoms related to depression and suicidal ideation, inpatient treatment at a general or psychiatric hospital may be appropriate.
Inpatient treatment is typically short-term and intended to stabilize teens during an acute episode. This may be related to suicidal ideation, a suicide attempt, or self-harm behaviors, among other safety concerns.
Residential Mental Health Treatment
There are certain specialized mental health facilities in non-hospital settings that provide long-term support for teens with serious mental health concerns. Mission Prep has residential mental health treatment centers in California that are specifically designed for adolescents. These facilities offer a comfortable environment with 24/7 support and hospital collaborations. Families seeking more information about residential mental health treatment in California can contact Mission Prep directly.
Outpatient Mental Health Therapy
Teens in California who may be exhibiting less severe symptoms of their mental health condition also have treatment options available to them. Teen outpatient mental health treatment is flexible and allows teens to access therapy, counseling, and specialized treatment without 24/7 support or traveling to a treatment facility.
Depending on the outpatient program, teens in California can expect to receive different types of therapy, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
Determining the appropriate level of mental health support for your child is an important part of California’s youth suicide prevention efforts. Seeking a formal evaluation or assessment by a trained mental health professional can help guide the child’s journey.
Contact Mission Prep for California Mental Health Programs for Teens
If you’re worried about your child’s mental health and aren’t sure what to do next, please contact Mission Prep today. Our team can answer your questions and talk through treatment options for teens in California with care and understanding.
References
- Verlenden, J. V. (2024). Mental health and suicide risk among high school students and protective factors—Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023. MMWR Supplements, 73.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2025). 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. https://www.hhs.gov/programs/prevention-and-wellness/mental-health-substance-use-disorder/national-strategy-suicide-prevention/index.html
- California Violent Death Reporting System. (2021). CalVDRS Suicide Fact Sheet. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/SACB/CDPH%20Document%20Library/CA%20Violent%20Death%20Reporting%20System%20(CalVDRS)/CalVDRS_Suicide_Fact-Sheet_2021.pdf
- Newsom, G. (2025, July 30). Governor Newsom issues executive order to support young men and boys, address suicide rates.
- https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/07/30/governor-newsom-issues-executive-order-to-support-young-men-and-boys-address-suicide-rates/
- State of California. (2025). Executive Order N-31-25: Men and boys workgroup.
- https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/2025-7-30.Men-and-Boys-Workgroup-EO.FINAL-signed.pdf
- Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. (2025). Master Plan for Kids’ Mental Health. https://cybhi.chhs.ca.gov/
- California Health & Human Services. (2025). Mental Health Resources for Youth. https://www.chhs.ca.gov/youthresources/
- Suicide Prevention Awareness. (2012). Know the warning signs of suicidal behavior. https://www.suicideispreventable.org/
