A Deep Dive into CA’s mHealth Effort to Support Youth Mental Health

California DHCS launched a statewide initiative addressing youth mental health crises through mobile health (mHealth) apps. The initiative, part of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative, offers two free apps: Soluna for ages 13-25 and BrightLife Kids for younger children. These apps provide various resources, including self-guided tools, peer support, and professional coaching. Leveraging the CalHOPE program, these apps aim to reduce barriers to mental health services and promote early intervention. DHCS collaborated with Kooth and Brightline, conducting extensive research and partnering with various organizations to drive adoption. Mathematica will evaluate the initiative’s impact, aligning with the broader goal of improving youth mental health outcomes in California.