Expanding California's Behavioral Health Workforce

Featured Resource: 2021 Behavioral Health Workforce Assessment

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Mental Health Awareness Month

For more than 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has recognized Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) every May to increase awareness about the vital role mental health plays in our overall health and well-being and provide resources and information to support individuals and communities who may need mental health support. 

May is AAPINH Month

Every May, the U.S. observes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) month to celebrate and recognize the contributions of AANHPI people to our culture and communities. This is also a time to pay special attention to the mental health and well-being of AANHPI individuals. Almost one third of the nation’s Asian American (AA) population lives in California. California also has more native Hawaiians and people from many of the Pacific Islands than any other state in the contiguous US. 

Visit the BHWD Resource Library

The BHWD Resource Library contains hundreds of webinars, videos, toolkits, handouts, and other materials to support the behavioral health workforce in California.
Logo of World AIDS Day with Red remembrance ribbon

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1 to spread awareness about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and support those living with the disease. The first ever World AIDS Day was observed on December 1, 1988. This year, World Health Organization (WHO) said that the theme is 'let communities lead'. The UN body said that the theme has been decided to mark the pivotal impact communities have had in shaping the HIV response.
Scrable tiles that say Mental Health

World Mental Health Day

October 10 is World Mental Health Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes October 10 as World Mental Health Day to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September Suicide Prevention Month

Every year SAMHSA dedicates this month to remembering the lives lost to suicide and the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. The Suicide Prevention Resource Center has a variety of resources for communities, families, and providers to help prevent suicide. Learn more at https://sprc.org and https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/suicide-prevention-month

The California Department of Health Care Services is expanding the state’s behavioral health workforce to improve access, engagement, and productive participation in behavioral health services for individuals and communities throughout the state. Since 2021, the state has invested more than $197 million in growing the workforce through the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Initiative.

Through the BHWD Initiative, DHCS aims to diversify and enhance the workforce across geography, race, ethnicity, language, culture, sexual orientation, gender identification, and other provider characteristics to improve access to by ensuring that communities find themselves represented in their care providers. The BHWD Initiative funds organizations across California to recruit, mentor, and retain behavioral health professionals, including making a significant investment in the peer workforce who offer treatment to individuals with substance use and opioid addiction. These awards align with the state’s broad strategy to build a health workforce that represents California’s diverse communities and provides people with the quality care they deserve, while addressing the shortage of health workers across California.

The BHWD Initiative is composed of four workforce projects: Peer Workforce Investment (PWI), Expanding Peer Organization Capacity (EPOC), Mentored Internship Program (MIP), and Behavioral Health Recruitment and Retention (BHRR).

If you have any questions, please contact us by email at:

ca_bhwd@ahpnet.com