Making Healthy, Resilient Communities Possible

Like physical health, behavioral health is essential to our overall well-being. 

​​​Public health focuses on prevention and creating conditions that improve quality of life, build resilience and help people thrive. For California, it's an urgent priority: communities across the state are feeling the impact of social isolation, rising mental health concerns, substance use, overdose, self-harm and suicide.​

Changing How We Think and Talk About Mental Health

It’s normal and common to struggle and need help. Our work changes how people think about and talk about mental health to make it easier for people to pay attention to their mental health and ask for help.

 

Take Space to Pause

Feeling overwhelmed but not sure what to do about it? This campaign helps teens recognize stress early, build real coping skills and ask for help before things get harder.

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Never a Bother

You are never a bother. This campaign helps equip youth and caregivers with the tools they need to help prevent suicide.

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Live Beyond

Hard things that happen in childhood can follow you into adulthood. This campaign helps us understand how those experiences show up and how to support healing.

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Improving the Well-Being of Whole Communities

Mental health and substance use challenges are shaped by the world around us. Behavioral health is impacted by the neighborhoods we live in, the schools we attend, the workplaces where we spend our days and the communities we connect with. We focus on prevention and improving the well-being of whole communities through:

Promoting Connection and Community

When people feel a sense of purpose, belonging, and connection, they are more resilient in the face of challenges. Building on existing community strengths and assets, we increase opportunities to foster meaningful connections.

Meeting People Where They Are

We partner with the communities closest to these challenges and share resources in the languages and places that work for them. Communities with the greatest needs are a top priority to reduce unequal health outcomes.

Providing Awareness and Resources

We share clear, trustworthy information about mental health and substance use developed in partnership with community members so warning signs are caught early and support is offered before challenges grow.

Changing How We Think About Getting Help

When people feel judged—or judge themselves—for struggling, they stay silent and isolated. We shift how we think and talk about mental health and substance use within communities, so people feel understood, accepted and supported when needing help.

Fostering Environments That Promote Well-being

People need access to healthy food, quality education, medical care and safe housing and communities to build healthy habits that support behavioral health and well-being. By improving environments that shape behavioral health, we strengthen community resilience, which makes it more possible to respond to challenges.