by Laine Himmelmann
NAMI California youth who traveled from Modesto
On a stormy Tuesday morning, more than 200 high school and college students from across California arrived at the State Capitol — many after hours-long bus rides — to share their stories, meet with policymakers, and advocate for stronger support for youth mental health.
The annual Advocacy Day, held April 21 and organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California with support from Blue Shield of California, brought students together for a rally followed by meetings with state leaders at the Capitol.
“Seeing so many young people show up and speak openly about their mental health is powerful,” said Sarah Summer, vice president of behavioral health at Blue Shield of California. “It takes courage, thanks to the stigma today — but it shouldn’t have to. These youth are helping create a future where mental health conversations are open, accepted, and supported.”
Recent data from Blue Shield’s BlueSky Youth Mental Health survey highlights the urgency: 94% of Gen Z youth report experiencing mental health challenges in an average month, and 35% who sought but didn’t receive care cited embarrassment as a reason.
Still, young people remain resilient — 63% say they feel hopeful for the future, and 69% have talked to a friend about their mental health.
That resilience was on full display at Advocacy Day.
“It’s important for me to be here,” said Anajoaquina Alvarez Nava, a high school sophomore who traveled two hours by bus from the Central Valley. “People came from even farther because it’s important to advocate for these issues. We need to stand up and have our voices heard.”
Youth participants at the Advocacy Day rally
For many students, sharing their experiences is both empowering and impactful.
“When I share my story, I create space for others to feel comfortable and open up,” said Ella Cruz, a junior at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento. “It also helps me move forward my goal of reducing stigma around mental health.”
Beyond Advocacy Day, Blue Shield’s support helps expand NAMI California programs like NAMI On Campus, which empowers student-led mental health clubs in high schools across the state. Through funding from Blue Shield’s BlueSky youth mental health initiative, the program has grown significantly — from 1,051 participants and 70 clubs across California in 2020, to more than 4,194 students across 178 clubs in 2026.
These clubs provide peer-led support for students who are experiencing mental health challenges, supporting friends or family members, or interested in advocacy — creating safe spaces for conversation and normalizing mental health discussions among youth.
While Advocacy Day is a powerful moment, the work continues long after students return home. With support from BlueSky and NAMI California, youth across California are driving more open conversations, reducing stigma, and advocating for change around mental health in their schools and communities.
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.
To learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California visit NamiCA.org
Resources
Watch the NAMI California Advocacy Day in action