September 17th, 2025
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
California State Governor
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Request for Signature of Senate Bill 338 (Becker)
Dear Governor Newsom,
Mental Health America of California (MHAC), the California Youth Empowerment Network (CAYEN) and LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment (LIVE) are pleased to support Senate Bill 338 (Becker), legislation that would establish the Mobile Health for Rural Communities Pilot Program with the goal of increasing access to health services, including mental health, for rural communities.
MHAC, CAYEN, and LIVE are dedicated to advancing mental health, wellness, and equity through community-led advocacy, education, and empowerment. By centering the voices of those with lived experience, including youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people living with mental health and substance use challenges, we aim to reduce stigma, influence public policy, and create inclusive environments where everyone has access to vital community-based culturally responsive mental health and substance use supports and services.
Access to these services can be extremely challenging for individuals in the rural communities, especially youth and the LGBTQ+ community. People often travel for hours for in-person services. Additionally, rural communities lack the appropriate internet infrastructure to support telehealth or virtual services. Senate Bill 338 (Becker) invests in mobile health, bringing services directly to communities in need, reducing barriers to access in-person and virtual health services.
It is for these reasons MHAC, CAYEN, and LIVE support SB 338 (Becker) and ask for your signature. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact MHAC’s Director of Public Policy, Karen Vicari, at kvicari@mhaofca.org, CAYEN’s Public Policy Coordinator Danny Thirakul at dthirakul@mhac.org, or LIVE’s Project Manager Anthony Garibay-Mena at agaribaymena@mhac.org.
In Community,
Karen Vicari
Director of Public Policy
Mental Health America of California
Danny Thirakul
California Youth Empowerment Network
Public Policy Coordinator
Anthony Garibay-Mena
LGBTQ+ Inclusivity, Visibility, and Empowerment
Project Manager
