July News Roundup
July 15, 2026 – From phone-free, Gen Z parties to Assembly Bill 1540 moving to restore lifelines for LGBTQ+ youth, your July edition of the monthly news roundup is here!
Featured Articles
These teens have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Mental health is taking a nosedive.
- A growing number of Black and Latino boys are trying to manage their mental health on their own.
- In the 2026 Children Now report scorecard, 94% of the state’s youth ages 14-25 reported mental health concerns in an average month, with stress and anxiety the most commonly reported concerns.
- Families say they are finding it too difficult to access care for their teens because of repeated health insurance denials, difficulty navigating mental health services, and a lack of money.
California moves to restore a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth
- Last year, the Trump administration ordered the closure of the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program within the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
- The shutdown drew widespread criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, mental health professionals, and lawmakers who argued the move stripped away a proven resource for a population facing elevated risks of depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.
- Assembly Bill 1540 would require California officials to establish a pathway for callers to dial 988 and connect directly with counselors trained to work with LGBTQ+ youth in crisis, effectively recreating the “Press 3” option that disappeared nationwide last summer.
'Socially illiterate,’ Gen Z teens are attending phone-free parties to break free of their social media habits
- Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2010, were the first group of teens to grow up with cell phones, social media, and texting already part of everyday life by the time they reached age 12.
- Now, many from this generation are having phone-free parties as a way to stop doomscrolling and improve mental health.
- Eventbrite has been monitoring parties and events and recently reported that phone-free events grew 567% globally between 2024 and 2025, with attendance rising 121%, expanding from 5 to 12 countries.
Growing California’s Behavioral Health Workforce
August 21, 2026 – California is changing how children and young people get behavioral health support across the state, and Certified Wellness Coaches are part of that shift.
Through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, the state has invested more than $4 billion to expand access to behavioral health care, strengthen support in schools and communities, and grow the workforce serving young people.
And that workforce is growing. More than 70,000 people have been supported along behavioral health workforce pathways, including close to 5,000 Certified Wellness Coaches. And the workforce is growing!
The initiative is reaching young people in other ways, too. Digital behavioral health services have supported more than 500,000 children, youth, and families across all 58 California counties.
Want to see the bigger picture?
The CYBHI Legacy Report: Advancing Behavioral Health — From Moment to Movement takes a closer look at what California has built so far, including new pathways to care, youth-designed tools, expanded services, and a growing behavioral health workforce.
See how Certified Wellness Coaches fit into California’s broader effort to support young people and where that work is headed next.
Certified Wellness Coaches Share Their Experience
August 18, 2026 – “We really sometimes just need someone to listen, and a Certified Wellness Coach is that person.”
“I have found that the most important thing you can do is remind somebody of who they are.”
“I’m grateful that there is recognition that this is needed. It’s very rewarding work.”
These are just a few things Certified Wellness Coaches are saying about joining California’s newest behavioral health profession. As we reflect on the first two years of the program, it’s inspiring to hear boots-on-the-ground experiences from Wellness Coaches about the young lives that they impact every single day.
Thank you to all the Wellness Coaches who shared their stories for this video, and for the important work that you do!
Stay
Updated
HCAI partners with California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and private nonprofit universities whose curricula meet all the requirements for a student to apply for a Wellness Coach certification upon graduation.
Stay up to date with the latest details about the program, timelines, and grant opportunities.
Stay
Updated
Stay up to date with the latest details about the program, timelines, and grant opportunities.
