BRIGHTLIFE KIDS AND SOLUNA PROVIDE FREE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO 500,000 CALIFORNIANS
2025 Impact Report Shows Statewide Reach, Strong Results, and Growing Integration into California's Behavioral Health System
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) today released its
2025 BrightLife Kids and Soluna Impact Report, detailing how California’s free behavioral health platforms have reached more than 500,000 users, including children, youth, young adults, and families, across all 58 California counties. Launched in 2024, the platforms offer free confidential mental health support and resources to all Californians, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
“The data reinforce what we’ve heard from children and families across California: Soluna and BrightLife Kids are a key resource to support our youth,” said DHCS Director Michelle Baass. “By investing in easy to use, accessible tools, California is improving the mental health of children today so they can have the bright futures they deserve.”
WHY THIS MATTERS: BrightLife Kids and Soluna reduce barriers to mental health care, particularly for youth in rural areas, low-income communities, and underserved populations. Early data show the platforms are advancing equity, with most users coming from communities with the greatest social and health inequities.
The report highlights substantial growth resulting from community outreach and engagement: more than 112,000 coaching sessions delivered through January 2026, with 98 percent of participants reporting satisfaction. Half of Soluna users and three quarters of BrightLife Kids users report this is their first time accessing professional behavioral health support. Additionally, more than 5,000 Californians have been referred to community-based providers when they need a higher level of care or other social support.
Early
evaluation data—now under peer review—from Northwestern University’s Lab for Scalable Mental Health show Soluna users experienced significant reductions in distress after one month, with benefits sustained at three months. BrightLife Kids users similarly reported progress, with parents noting improved ability to support their children.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: “Before Soluna, I didn't really know where to start if I wanted to talk to someone professionally…There's a lot of really quick, fast features that don't require a lot of time, but do have a really strong impact,” said Sierra (below left), a Soluna young adult ambassador.
"BrightLife Kids helps me so much by giving me the tools on how to be a better, more present mom,” said Lillian (above right), parent of a 6-year-old daughter.
ABOUT THE PLATFORMS: BrightLife Kids and
Soluna offer free coaching, peer communities, personalized goalsetting tools, and care navigation. Services are available
online, in mobile app stores, in English and Spanish, and through telephone-based coaching available in 17 languages.
DHCS encourages families and youth ages 0–25 to access free behavioral health support through BrightLife Kids and Soluna and invites partners to review the full 2025 impact report to learn more about statewide outcomes and impact.