Sarah Summer, Perry Chen, and Valerie Martinez with 2026 BlueSky Behavioral Health awardees. credit all photos: Bryan Matthew, @B.roll_mpc
Nearly all Gen Z youth in California — 94% — report experiencing mental health challenges in an average month, and nearly a quarter (23%) say they wanted professional help but couldn’t afford it. Among those who sought care but didn’t receive it, 35% cite embarrassment as a barrier, according to the BlueSky Youth Mental Health Survey, compiled by Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative and Children Now.
“Youth mental health is in crisis, and too many young people face barriers to getting help,” said Sarah Summer, vice president of behavioral health at Blue Shield of California. “That’s why it’s critical to meet youth where they are, with support that normalizes mental health and makes care easier to access.”
For many students, school is where they spend most of their time — and increasingly, where they can find mental health support. At April’s 2026 School Health & Behavioral Health Conference, held in Los Angeles by the California School-Based Health Alliance and presented by Blue Shield of California, Blue Shield’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative honored five programs expanding access to youth mental health support in schools and communities. Each program also received a community investment award to support their work.
Awards were presented by Perry Chen, director of behavioral health at Blue Shield, and Valerie Martinez, chief health equity officer at Blue Shield Promise Health Plan.
Meet the 2026 BlueSky Behavioral Health Award recipients
South Central Family Health Center (Los Angeles)
South Central Family Health Center integrates mental health services into school‑based health centers, including a Wellness Center at Jefferson High School in South Central L.A., so students can get support during routine visits. Two licensed clinical social workers, including a Spanish‑speaking clinician, work with school staff to make support accessible and part of everyday care.
Jurupa Unified School District (Riverside County)
Jurupa Unified serves nearly 18,000 students and prioritizes wellness across the district. Its certified wellness coach program has trained more than 30 staff members who are now embedded on school campuses to help students access early support.
Riverside County Office of Education
The Riverside County Office of Education helps its schools sustain mental health programs by providing hands‑on training and support in navigating the billing process for mental health services, ensuring long-term continuity of services.
Pomona High School (Los Angeles County)
Pomona High School leads a peer‑to‑peer program that empowers students to support one another while fostering connection, trust, and a sense of belonging. Students are trained as counselors, developing real-world skills like responsibility and leadership.
Humboldt Independent Practice Association (Humboldt County)
Humboldt Independent Practice Association connects students across seven rural schools, where access to care can be limited. By helping schools and care teams work together, students are connected to timely mental health support and practical help with everyday challenges, like access to housing and basic resources.
Valerie Martinez and Perry Chen, Blue Shield
“More than ever, schools are safe places where kids can find help when they need it,” said Chen. “These programs show how strong community partnerships can make mental health support more accessible for students and their families.”
Peer support is also key: 69% of youth report talking to a friend about their mental health, highlighting the value of peer‑to‑peer programs in trusted, familiar settings.
“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the BlueSky award for my peer counselors. Peer-to-peer support is crucial in today’s social and educational climates,” said Sheila Balk, peer resources advisor at Pomona High School. “Having the opportunity to continue to train students to help their peers navigate the teen years is incredibly important. We finally feel seen and heard as we advocate for students.”
Together, the 2026 award recipients show how locally driven solutions, from school-based services to peer‑to‑peer support, can strengthen youth mental health systems across California — helping students thrive in and out of the classroom.
Resources
BlueSky: Blue Shield of California’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative is a multi-year effort to promote emotional well-being for young people across California. Since 2019, BlueSky has supported over 30,000 youth and educators through on-campus and online mental health services, educator training, and youth-driven advocacy programs.
California School-Based Health Alliance: The California School-Based Health Alliance aims to improve the health and academic success of children and youth by advancing health services in California’s K-12 public schools.