AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 27, 2026

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

96

CHAPTER 116

Statutes of 2026

Introduced by Assembly Member Ransom

(Coauthors: Assembly Members Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Irwin, Jackson, Johnson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rivas, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Ward, Wilson, and Zbur)

April 22, 2026

Relative to Youth Mental Health Awareness Week in California.

Fiscal committee: no

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

This measure would designate May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, as Youth Mental Health Awareness Week in California.

WHEREAS, Mental health must be prioritized with the same urgency as physical health; and

WHEREAS, It is important for our youth to thrive and have a positive quality of life, which cannot be achieved without taking care of their mental health; and

WHEREAS, Mental health plays a significant role in the overall well-being of youth, thus the importance to recognize and support mental health services for them; and

WHEREAS, It is important to foster inclusivity for our youth, who, with the rise of social media influence, have been subject to negative psychological effects; and

WHEREAS, Mental health plays a pivotal role in the everyday lives of youth. It is between 12 and 25 years of age when we learn to navigate the world; and

WHEREAS, Mental health can significantly influence how children and youth behave in their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, Schools have the ability to foster inclusive, safe, supportive, respectful, and empowering environments for students who are suffering from mental illnesses; and

WHEREAS, Young people are rapidly learning social and emotional skills that shape their future ability to learn and adapt into different situations of life; and

WHEREAS, Youth mental health programs should address trauma, while promoting resilience, healing, and the pursuit of academic success for all students; and

WHEREAS, Prioritizing mental health in our youth and providing them with resources can help reduce stigma and cultivate a culture of resilience, support, and compassion within schools and communities; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to designate a week dedicated to recognizing the mental health of our youth and supporting their well-being; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby designates May 3, 2026, to May 9, 2026, inclusive, as Youth Mental Health Awareness Week in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.