The rollout of two $500 million apps designed to support children's mental health in California has been slow, KFF Health News reported April 26.
In January, California launched BrightLife Kids, which is designed for parents or caregivers and children between 0 and 12 years old, and Soluna for teens and young adults between 13 and 25 years old.
According to KFF Health News, uptake of the app has been slow. Around 15,000 of the 12.6 million children and young adults in California have signed up for the apps. Counselors KFF spoke with were unfamiliar with the app, and BrightLife Kids is not yet available on Android platforms.
The apps provide free mental health coaching and self-directed sessions, designed for less serious mental health needs, according to KFF.
Alex Briscoe, principal of California Children's Trust, a mental health nonprofit, said the organization does not see the apps as "fundamental."
“We don't believe the youth mental health crisis will be solved by technology projects built by a professional class who don't share the lived experience of marginalized communities," Mr. Briscoe said.
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