In March 2024, Californians passed Proposition 1, the Behavioral Health Services Act, to transform the way we address mental health and substance use disorders, collectively known as behavioral health.

The California Department of Public Health will receive a portion of the Proposition 1 funding, tailoring strategies to specific populations to better reduce the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders and resulting conditions.

“As a department, our mission is to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities, CDPH will leverage its experience with behavioral health programs and initiatives to develop an effective prevention strategy,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón. “We know Californians are seeking better mental health support, resources, tools, awareness, and education and we’re working to make that happen with urgency.”

Why This Matters: Prevention efforts, particularly those that support young people, can be an effective way to reduce negative behavioral health outcomes for the state population – leading to a healthier California for all.

How We Got Here: Proposition 1 funds included a provision to direct a minimum of four percent to general statewide mental health and substance use population-based prevention programs. At least half of Proposition 1 prevention and early intervention funds will be dedicated to strategies for people aged 25 or younger.

Community Engagement: CDPH is seeking input from a wide range of partners and interested parties to support the planning, development and implementation of its strategy for prevention programs.

On Nov.  13, CDPH presented an update on its planning efforts at a meeting of the California Health and Human Services Agency’s Behavioral Health Task Force. The meeting included a question-and-answer session and an exercise to provide Task Force members and public participants the opportunity to provide feedback and input. Materials from the meeting can be viewed online.

On Dec. 11, CDPH is hosting an expert advisory panel titled, “Population-Based Behavioral Health Prevention Strategies.” The meeting will include panel discussions with experts. The online meeting is open to the public and includes time for participant questions and feedback. Attendees can register online.

Please visit our website at CDPH Transforming Behavioral Health to receive updates. Sign up for updates online and share your feedback, comments and thoughts with us at BHSAinfo@cdph.ca.gov. CDPH welcomes other ideas for continued community engagement.

Bigger Picture: CDPH’s population-based prevention strategy is one part of California’s Behavioral Health Transformation. Behavioral Health Transformation complements and builds on California’s other major behavioral health initiatives including, but not limited to, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative, the California Behavioral Health Community-Based Organization Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Demonstration proposal, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), Medi-Cal Mobile Crisis, 988 expansion, and the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP).

Californians voted to pass Proposition 1 to modernize the behavioral health delivery system, improve accountability and increase transparency, and expand the capacity of behavioral health care facilities for Californians.

More information about the ongoing implementation of Proposition 1 can be found at: mentalhealth.ca.gov.