According to recent studies of adolescent mental health in California, nearly half of those surveyed between 2019 and 2021 reported elevated levels of distress. Despite this high rate, many teens admitted that they were not receiving counseling or other mental health support during that time. Findings like these have led to new California laws related to youth mental health, specifically mental health in schools.1
This post will discuss several California school mental health laws that impact teens and families today. We will also cover how the new California education mental health laws improve access to care.
Mental Health in the Classroom in California
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a rise in youth mental health concerns, as well as increased awareness by state and federal governments. Addressing mental health in the classroom in California has become a top priority because mental health education increases awareness, promotes help-seeking behavior, and reduces the stigma associated with mental health challenges. This has led to the creation of several mental health policies in schools, which we will discuss in the following sections.2
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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.
California School Mental Health Laws
In order to improve mental health literacy in adolescents, California has passed several laws related to school mental health. These laws cover a variety of areas, including suicide prevention, early intervention mental health programs in schools, bullying prevention, and training staff on youth behavioral health.3-6
There are three major California mental health mandates for educators that you should be aware of: California Education Code 49428.15, Seth’s Law (AB9), and AB 2246. We will discuss each of these mental health requirements for California schools in greater detail below.
California Education Code 49428.15: Youth Behavioral Health Training
In an effort to improve mental health awareness and training in California schools, Education Code 49428.15 requires the California Department of Education to identify evidence-based or evidence-informed youth behavioral health training programs for use by school districts.3
The law does not mandate a single statewide program but instead directs the Department to make approved programs available to districts that wish to implement them. The training programs must meet certain requirements to show that they are evidence-based and effective.
For example, topics include recognizing the signs and symptoms of common mental health disorders, training staff on how to make mental health referrals for students, and measuring learning outcomes for staff.3 This kind of structured teacher mental health training in California ensures that educators are better prepared to support struggling students early.
Seth’s Law (AB9): Preventing Bullying in California Schools
In 2010, a California teen took his life after experiencing years of anti-gay bullying that went unrecognized in school. As a result, Seth’s Law was passed, which requires California schools to implement a strong anti-bullying policy. These policies must clearly outline prohibited bases for bullying, including sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. In addition, the law specifies protections for students based on perceived or actual characteristics, including disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation.
Another part of Seth’s Law is the requirement for California school districts to adopt a process for receiving and investigating complaints of bullying and discrimination. The school policies related to Seth’s Law must be publicized so that students, parents, and the general public are aware of the policies. Finally, California schools are required to post support resources for students who experienced school-based discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying and their families on their websites.4
AB 2246: Suicide Prevention Policies in Schools
AB 2246 requires California school districts serving students in grades 7–12 to adopt a suicide prevention policy. These policies must be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders and are required to be periodically reviewed and updated.
A key element of AB 2246 is its focus on identifying and supporting high-risk student populations. These include:5
- Students who have suffered the death of a loved one due to suicide
- Youth with disabilities, mental illness, or substance use disorders
- Homeless students and children in foster care
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning youth
Schools are encouraged to collaborate with local government agencies, community-based organizations, and other community supports to gather the resources needed for their suicide prevention policies.5
These examples of student mental health legislation in California show how the state government is working to prioritize mental health support in California schools. In the following section, we will look at mental health services available in California classrooms.
Support for Youth Behavioral Health in Academic Settings
As discussed above, new California education mental health laws have focused on training, bullying prevention, and suicide prevention, among other areas affecting today’s teens.
Another important development for school-based mental health in California came in 2024, when voters approved reforms restructuring the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) under what is now known as the Behavioral Health Services Act. The BHSA modifies funding priorities and reallocates resources to expand behavioral health services, including support for children and adolescents with the greatest need.6
There are five key components of the Behavioral Health Services Act:
- A client/family-driven mental health system
- Cultural competence
- Community support and collaboration
- Service integration
- A focus on recovery, wellness, and resiliency
Types of Mental Health Services Available in California Classrooms
Some of the behavioral health services provided in academic settings as a result of this law are academic counseling, brief interventions to address behavior problems, family counseling, suicide prevention, mental health assessments, and referring students to external resources when appropriate. Through the implementation of different mental health programs in California schools, educators can address student well-being and learning outcomes, which can often be impacted by mental health problems.6 Connecting school counselors and behavioral health services ensures students receive consistent support both inside and outside the classroom.
What Teachers Need to Know About Student Mental Health Laws
Health education in schools has been shown to have positive outcomes on the physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being of students. Therefore, it is important for teachers to understand California’s health education framework. This framework includes eight standards that must be met across six content areas.2,7
Health Education Framework in California
The six topic areas for the health education framework in California are:
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Growth, development, and sexual health
- Injury prevention and safety
- Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs
- Mental, emotional, and social health
- Personal and community health
These standards guide how mental health policy in schools translates into classroom instruction and identification and intervention practices. Because mental, emotional, and social health is one of the core areas, teacher mental health training in California is more important than ever.7
Health Education Standards
When it comes to meeting the statewide standards, teachers need to understand ways to include information about essential health concepts, health influences, accessing valid health information, interpersonal communication, decision-making, goal setting, practicing health-enhancing behaviors, and health promotion. It is also crucial to acknowledge that mental health education in schools doesn’t fall on teachers alone. Collaborating with school counselors and behavioral health services outside of the school is also part of a comprehensive health education framework.2,7
Teacher Mental Health Training California
Ensuring that teachers are trained in the current student mental health laws and health education standards is one of the many ways schools are addressing student mental health in California. Teacher mental health training can involve self-based courses for educators as well as structured group programs. The ultimate goal is to involve everyone within the school system to support mental health and trauma-informed education in California.2,7 When teachers, counselors, and administrators work together, schools can create environments that support both learning and emotional well-being.
Mission Prep: Supporting the Mental Health of Adolescents in California
At Mission Prep, we understand the importance of early intervention when it comes to treating teens with mental health conditions. We have multiple mental health programs available to adolescents in California to help them get back on track for emotional and social well-being.
Whether your child requires outpatient therapy or more intensive residential mental health treatment, Mission Prep has options to meet your specific needs. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team about California mental health services for teens.
References
- Zhao, X., Schueller, S. M., Kim, J., Stadnick, N. A., Eikey, E., Schneider, M., & Sorkin, D. H. (2025). Real-world adoption of mental health support among adolescents: Cross-sectional analysis of the California Health Interview Survey. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 50(1), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsad082
- California Department of Education. (n.d.). Mental health education. California Health Education Framework. https://californiahealtheducation.org/Pages/Mental-Health-Education.aspx
- California Department of Education. (n.d.). Youth behavioral health training programs. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/mh/ec49428.15.asp
- ACLU of Southern California. (2012, July 3). Seth’s Law (AB 9): Your right to not be bullied at school. https://www.aclusocal.org/seths-law/
- California State Legislature. (n.d.). AB-2246 pupil suicide prevention policies. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB2246
- California Department of Education. (n.d.). Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). CALEdFACTS. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/mh/cefmentalhealth.asp
- California Department of Education. (n.d.). Health education framework. https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/he/cf/
