May 31, 2023
The Honorable Wendy Carrillo
California State Assembly
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0052
RE: Support for AB 665 (Carrillo)
Dear Assembly Member Carrillo:
The California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) is pleased to supportAssembly Bill 665 (Carrillo), legislation which removes the requirement that a minor, 12 years of age or older, must present a danger of serious physical or mental harm to themselves or to others or be the alleged victim of incest or child abuse to consent to mental health services and supports. Additionally, it requires the professional person treating or counseling the minor to consult with the minor before determining whether involvement of the minor’s parent or guardian would be inappropriate.
CAYEN is a youth-led statewide network comprised of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Action Teams and CAYEN Board members which engage, empowers and represents TAY, ages 15-26, in mental health advocacy on issues that directly affect TAY. Since CAYEN’s inception in 2006, CAYEN has taken many forms of action to empower TAY in their personal lives and spark progressive change in public policy.
There is a growing need to expand mental health services for youth. However, many of us are restricted from consenting to mental health services or counseling unless we fall under very specific conditions. These conditions only apply to a subset population of youth who want mental health services or counseling and would exclude youth experiencing behavioral health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or bipolarism. Assembly Bill 665 would remove those conditions and increase access to mental health services and counseling for minors.
For these reasons, we support AB 665. If you or your staff have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at dthirakul@mhac.org, or our Interim Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari at kvicari@mhacofca.org.
In Community,
Danny Thirakul
Public Policy Coordinator
California Youth Empowerment Network
