Mental Health Resources for the Holiday

CVV News

December 10, 2024

On December 10, 2024, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) hosted a virtual ethnic media briefing via Zoom to address mental health challenges during the holiday season and introduce accessible behavioral health resources for youth and families across California. The event aimed to empower diverse communities with tools and strategies to navigate holiday stress and promote mental well-being.

The session featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Autumn Boylan, Deputy Director at the California Department of Health Care Services’ Office of Strategic Partnerships. They shared insights on the heightened mental health challenges faced by African American and Asian American communities during the holidays, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and culturally sensitive resources.

Mental health coaches from BrightLife Kids and Soluna apps provide no-cost coaching, self-guided resources, and community connections tailored to children, youth, and their families. These services are available in English, Spanish, and 17 other languages, ensuring broad accessibility. The apps focus on prevention, early intervention, and crisis support, allowing users to navigate emotional challenges anonymously and without insurance requirements.

Community members shared compelling testimonials. Jesus Martinez with California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) spoke about the impact of these resources on African American communities, while ia Lo, from Hmong Youth & Parents United and Moa from the Koreatown Youth Community center highlighted the benefits for Asian American communities. Their stories illustrated the transformative potential of these tools.

The briefing underscored the OCPSC’s commitment to bridging equity gaps and fostering resilience among underserved communities. Attendees praised the initiative’s cultural competence and accessibility, reinforcing the vital role of ethnic media in connecting diverse populations with critical information.