20250SCR_006496CHP INTRODUCED 2025-04-22 AMENDED_SENATE 2025-05-01 PASSED_ASSEMBLY 2025-06-27 PASSED_SENATE 2025-05-08 ENROLLED 2025-07-01 CHAPTERED 2025-07-03 FILED 2025-07-03 2025 SCR CHP CHR 0 Introduced by Senator Rubio (Coauthors: Senators Cortese, Grayson, Limón, Menjivar, Ochoa Bogh, and Wahab) LEAD_AUTHOR SENATE Rubio COAUTHOR SENATE Cortese COAUTHOR SENATE Grayson COAUTHOR SENATE Limón COAUTHOR SENATE Menjivar COAUTHOR SENATE Ochoa Bogh COAUTHOR SENATE Wahab Relative to Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California.

Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California. This measure would recognize May 5, 2025, to May 9, 2025, inclusive, as Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California. NO

WHEREAS, Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for physical, emotional, and mental development; and

WHEREAS, Mental health significantly influences how children and adolescents think, feel, and act, shaping their overall well-being throughout life; and

WHEREAS, Mental health challenges among children and youth can profoundly impact their learning, behavior, and emotional regulation; and

WHEREAS, Students today are increasingly exposed to the widespread influence of social media, which can contribute to negative psychological effects; and

WHEREAS, According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 42 percent of high school students report experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, marking a 50-percent increase over the past decade; and

WHEREAS, Fostering student mental health requires a concerted effort to create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments that promote respect, kindness, and a reduction in mental health stigma; and

WHEREAS, Early identification and treatment of mental and behavioral health challenges are essential for cultivating a healthy student body and school community; and

WHEREAS, Schools play a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive mental and behavioral health services, fostering a sense of belonging, and strengthening support systems for students and families; and

WHEREAS, Embedding mental health services within schools lowers barriers to access, improves student outcomes, and promotes equity for historically underserved populations, including homeless and foster youth; and

WHEREAS, Supporting the mental health of teachers and school staff enhances student services and contributes to a more empathetic and understanding school environment; and

WHEREAS, School-based mental health programs should address trauma, including the impacts of racial injustice, while promoting resilience, healing, and academic success for all students; and

WHEREAS, Pupil personnel services credentialholders specializing in school counseling, school social work, or school psychology, as well as school nurses, specialize in preventive and intervention-based mental and behavioral health services within school settings; and

WHEREAS, Licensed clinical social workers, licensed educational psychologists, professional clinical counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists support school-based mental health professionals by offering therapeutic interventions both in schools and in the community; and

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

WHEREAS, It is essential to designate a week that is dedicated to recognizing and addressing student mental health to support the well-being of California’s students;

now, therefore,

be it Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby recognizes May 5, 2025, to May 9, 2025, inclusive, as Student Mental Health Awareness Week in California; and be it further Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.