Behavioral Health Virtual Services
In January 2024, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with Kooth and Brightline, launched two behavioral health virtual services platforms for children, youth, and families.
The web- and app-based platforms will offer all California residents, regardless of insurance coverage, free one on one support with a live coach, a library of multimedia resources, wellness exercises, and peer communities moderated by trained behavioral health professionals to ensure the appropriateness of content and the safety of all users.
Designed with input from more than 1,000 unique and diverse stakeholders, DHCS is releasing two platforms -
- BrightLife Kids for parents and caregivers, young children, and adolescents
- Soluna for teens and young adults
What services do the apps offer?
BrightLife Kids and Soluna offer:- Free Coaching: Pre-clinical and sub-clinical coaching sessions through in-app chat or video appointments with qualified behavioral health coaches. Telephone coaching will also be available in all Medi-Cal threshold languages.
- Educational Content: Age-tailored educational articles, videos, podcasts, and stories.
- Assessments and Tools: Stress-management tools and clinically validated assessments to understand and monitor behavioral health over time.
- Care Navigation Services: A searchable directory and live care navigation support to connect users to their local behavioral health resources, including connecting users with their health plan, school-based services or community-based organizations that can provide clinical care options and care coordination services.
- Peer Communities: Moderated forums and programs to connect users with other youth or caregivers.
- Crisis and Safety Protocols: Crisis and emergency safety resources for platform users experiencing a mental health crisis or who require immediate assistance (e.g., 988).