Mental Health America of California (MHAC) is dedicated to advancing our mission and vision for California’s behavioral health system by effecting public policy through advocacy, educational initiatives, and partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders. Guided by our public policy priorities, our work extends to the implementation of AB 988 The Criss Hotline, enhancing voluntary behavioral health services, increasing parity or access to services and resources, and supporting youth behavioral health needs. We vehemently oppose the use and expansion of involuntary treatment. Through culturally responsive community based behavioral health services, addressing systemic barriers, and increasing the behavioral health workforce we can have a thriving, equitable, and just continuum of care for all Californians.

Our Principles

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When evaluating proposed changes to the public mental health system, MHAC uses the following principles:

  1. The change will address a core problem with structure, delivery or impact.
  2. The design and implementation of the change will engage clients and their families
    in roles that have purpose and meaning for them.
  3. Mental health and substance use disorder services will be integrated with seamless
    access and minimal barriers.
  4. Services will address the diverse needs of California’s population, including those
    with serious mental illnesses.
  5. Proposed changes will be based on a paradigm of recovery and resilience, meeting
    clients where they are and engaging them in their own recovery.
  6. Outcomes will be measured and accessible to providers and the public. Outcomes
    will have a recovery focus, including factors such as relationships, a safe residence,
    meaningful activities and improved health.
  7. Program evaluation will focus on the most critical elements of proposed changes
    and will include both empirical outcomes and process measures at the community,
    system and client levels as appropriate.
  8. Training and technical assistance will be available to counties, providers and
    stakeholders.
  9. Training will expand and ensure a skilled, diverse workforce that includes
    individuals with lived experience.
  10. Proposed changes will respect client choice and foster maximum client
    independence.

  • Behavioral Health Transformation (Proposition 1, CAL Aim, BH-CONNECT, etc.)

    Monitor implementation efforts and advocate for policies, programs and services that reflect MHAC’s mission and guiding principles.

  • Voluntary Behavioral Health Supports, Services and Treatment

    Engage in legislative and educational initiatives to increase access to timely and appropriate behavioral health services, oppose involuntary treatment policies, advance behavioral health and wellness policies, and promote peer support in behavioral health settings.

  • Behavioral Healthcare Workforce

    Support legislation and policies that expand career pathways for Transition Age Youth, elevate peer employment, grow the behavioral health workforce, and promote programs that sustain existing professionals in the field.

  • 988 Crisis Hotline

    Advocate for the Crisis Hotline’s implementation to align with MHAC’s mission and priorities, lead its rollout to uphold the bill’s intent, and lead in the inclusion of peers on mobile response teams.

  • Public Awareness & Education

    Educate decision-makers, the Legislature, and the public on MHAC’s mission, priorities, and behavioral health topics to support informed policy development.

  • Behavioral Health Parity and Timely Access

    Support legislation and advocacy efforts to promote behavioral health parity and timely access, collaborate with stakeholders to enforce related laws, and work to eliminate “Ghost Lists” that hinder individuals from accessing effective care and services.

  • Youth Behavioral Health

    Support legislation that promotes wellness, as well as psychologically healthy and safe environments for youth, specifically as defined by the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN).

  • LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health

    Support legislation that promotes wellness, as well as psychologically healthy and safe environments for the LGBTQ+ community, specifically as defined by the LGBTQ+, Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) program.

  • The Stakeholder Process

    Elevate and empower the voices of people with lived experience to actively participate in decision-making at both state and local levels.

  • Individuals living with behavioral health challenges who are unhoused

    Support the housing-first approach with voluntary behavioral health services, oppose the criminalization of being unhoused, promote jail diversion programs that uphold due process, and advocate for outreach initiatives and the expansion of recovery-focused housing and respite programs.

Past Public Priority Documents

 

Legislative Reports

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