California youth, and their parents, can access free mental health app
The new year is bringing new mental health resources to California’s youth, right on their phones.
Two new apps — available to state residents on Jan. 1 — will provide free resources, including one-on-one coaching support via in-app chat, call or video; a place to chat with peers; various wellness exercises; and information about local behavioral health resources or crisis services.
Users will find “age-tailored” educational content, such as videos, games and podcasts, according to California’s Department of Health Care Services. The goal is to help parents and youth address an array of behavioral health concerns, including sleep habits, peer pressure, bullying, emotions, stress management and tantrums.
The apps are coming at a time when people of all ages are struggling with mental and emotional health.
For example, a study published earlier this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that hospitalizations and emergency room visits for suicide attempts and ideation rose steadily among American children and teens from 2016 to 2021. Other studies have found growing problems with mental and emotional health during and after the pandemic.
The apps will offer community forums for users, with posts and connections pre-reviewed by moderators. Those moderators may determine if someone is at high risk, and a licensed clinical professional could intervene and help the user find external services.
The app aimed at users 12 and younger is BrightLife Kids. The app for users ages 13 through 25 is Soluna.
Both apps are free — although paid services may be offered — for California residents and will be monitored by DHCS for privacy and security.
For the BrightLife app for younger users, coaching services will be given jointly to children and parents, guardians and other caregivers. But on Soluna, information will not be shared with parents or teachers because California law allows minors ages 12 and older to consent to mental health treatment privately, according to the DHCS.
The apps’ vendors, DHCS said, “will follow strict safety and escalation protocols if risks are identified.” Also, users can remain anonymous.
“We won’t share your details or what you do on the app with anyone — not parents, schools or health care pros — unless you say it’s okay,” the Soluna website says.
The state partnered with virtual mental health providers Brightline and Kooth US to develop the apps.
Clinical services such as therapy, pharmacology and diagnosis aren’t available for free through the apps but the vendors may offer those services at an additional cost, the DCHS team said via email. But the apps must offer free support and referrals to community-based or crisis service providers first before recommending their own paid services, DCHS said.
The Soluna app is already available for residents in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties and will be available statewide beginning Jan. 1.
Users must input their zip code and birthdate to ensure eligibility.
No end date was given for how long the app will be available for residents, but DHCS said it “intends to make the apps available for the long term.”