Behavioral Health

Issues

Sub-Issues

About Behavioral Health

An estimated 7.5 million people in California experience a mental health disorder in any given year, but only one-third of adults who experience mental illness are getting treatment. The caregivers at hospitals know the obstacles people with behavioral health conditions face and the challenges in getting them the treatment they need.

While hospitals embrace the essential role they play in addressing this crisis, more needs to be done. Investments are needed to tackle a crisis made even worse by COVID-19. California must prioritize behavioral health investments in prevention, early assessment, identification of needs, and aggressive treatment for all, regardless of health coverage or ZIP code.

In addition, solutions like payment reform, resource allocation, more outpatient and community-based services, a bolstered behavioral health workforce, and a statewide set of standardized core services will help Californians with behavioral health conditions access the care they deserve.

Behavioral Health Resources Available for Coping With the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed new levels of stress on health care professionals. Knowing how to spot signs and symptoms of stress is the first step to learning how to cope, build resilience, and get additional help if needed.   To support health care workers during this challenging time, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has compiled these […]

CHA Webinar to Address Workplace Violence Prevention

As hospital staff report an increase in the frequency of violent acts in the emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient settings, CHA will host a members-only webinar on Dec. 15 from 9 to 10:15 a.m. (PT) that will review Cal/OSHA workplace violence mitigation plan requirements.   The webinar will also discuss the American Hospital Association Hospitals Against Violence Initiative, featuring the Creating Safer Workplaces guide. […]

Updated COVID-19 Surge FAQs & Resources for California Hospitals

Communities with low vaccination rates, waning immunity, and indoor gatherings pose the potential for additional surges of patients with COVID-19 who need hospital care. As hospitals and health systems continue to care for patients during this pandemic, CHA has updated its FAQs and links to help inform the surge response to challenges such as staffing and space.  In particular, the […]

NABH Supports Sound the Alarm for Kids Campaign

More than 75 organizations, including the National Association for Behavioral Healthcare (NABH), are supporting Sound the Alarm for Kids, a campaign from the Children’s Hospital Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists that urges Congress to enact legislation and increase funding to address children’s mental health.

Two Opportunities Support Behavioral Health Infrastructure Projects 

The California Department of Health Care Services and Department of Social Services are launching two new programs to support infrastructure projects: the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) and the Community Care Expansion (CCE) Program.  These investments will ensure behavioral health care can be provided in the least restrictive settings by creating a wide range of options, including outpatient alternatives, urgent care, peer respite, wellness […]

House Advances CHA-Supported Bill to Support Front-Line Health Care Workers

On Nov. 4, the House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee passed by voice vote a modified version of the CHA-supported Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (H.R. 1667). The version that passed aligns with the bill (S. 610) that the Senate passed in August.   The bipartisan legislation is named for a doctor who led the emergency […]