PROCLAMATION
Children’s mental health has become an increasingly urgent problem – 20% of adolescents in the United States now reporting unsatisfied mental health care needs. There is a continuous increase in mental health diagnostics of children and an increasing concern about the impact of social media on our children. Teenagers who spend more than 3 hours a day on social networks are faced with double the risk of mental health problems. Between 2018 and 2021, suicide was the second cause of death in young adults in California, representing 20% of all deaths in this age group. At the national level, suicide rates among adolescents aged 10 to 24 years increased from 62% from 2007 to 2021, and suicide rates increased by 8.2% per year from 2008 to 2022 among pre -adolescents aged 8 to 12 years.
The data support what we all know: we must check with our children and take measures to provide the difficulties of the support they need. In California, we take seriously the mental health and well-being of our children, and we work to provide young people with the resources they need to thrive in body and mind.
The approach of California, described in the master plan of mental health of children, coordinates our operating systems of children, rationalizing efforts in the pursuit of a shared vision and shared objectives, with shared responsibility. We are committed to providing all Californian families and their children to access quality behavioral health services, to train and develop a wider workforce that better reflects our communities.
The cornerstone of the master plan is the behavioral health initiative for children and young people (Cybhi), designed for and by young people and families. Working on all aspects of life, from health care schools, Cybhi transforms the California behavioral health system which favors prevention and early intervention. With initiatives like Cybhi and The Move Your Body, Calm Your Mind Campaign, California reminds people that mental health is as important for our general well-being as physical health.
The week of awareness of the mental health of children, the first week of months of awareness of mental health, is an opportunity for people to talk to each other, to sit with their children and to seek help. I urge all Californians to learn more about the resources and services available to support the mental health of children at www.chhs.ca.gov/youthresources.
Now so me, Gavin Newsom, The governor of the State of California, proclaims by this on May 4 to 10, 2025 as “week of awareness of the mental health of children”.
As a testimony of what I targeted my hand and I made sure that the great seal of the state of California was affixed this 4th May 2025 day.
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
Attest:
Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D.
Secretary of state