California introduces free apps for youth mental health services

California’s New Free Apps Tackle Youth Mental Health Crisis

In a move to address the escalating youth mental health crisis, the state of California has launched two new free apps aimed at providing support and resources for young people. The apps, called Soluna and BrightLife Kids, are part of a larger $4.7 billion investment in mental health and substance-use support, as outlined in California Governor Gavin Newsom’s master plan for kids’ mental health. These digital tools come at a time when the global pandemic has exacerbated mental health issues among youth, with nearly 300,000 young people in California coping with major depression, according to a 2022 report.