In January 2024, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in partnership with Kooth and Brightline, launched two free behavioral health virtual services platforms: BrightLife Kids and Soluna. These platforms offer web and app-based support for children, young adults, and their families.
From January 2024 to June 2025, BrightLife Kids and Soluna have served over 319,000 youth and families through their apps and more than 62,000 coaching sessions have been completed.
What is BrightLife Kids?
BrightLife Kids provides free, on-demand behavioral health support to children ages 0-12 and to their parents/caregivers. It offers private video or chat-based coaching and assists in navigating community resources for psychiatry, therapy, or medication management.
Many coaches are bilingual and have experience working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) communities.
Insurance is not required, and referrals are not needed.
- Parents can submit a direct referral to BrightLife Kids and it will reach out to families.
- The Partners Page contains recordings of past webinars hosted by BrightLife Kids coaches.
- The Digital Toolkit includes various resources and information about BrightLife Kids.
- Check out this VIDEO about BrightLife Kids!
Visit BrightLife Kids – A CalHOPE Program by Brightline for more Information.
What is the Soluna App?
Soluna is a mental health app for teens and young people ages 13-25. They offer free private coaching, moderated peer support groups, self-guided tools, and care navigation. Coaching is provided on-demand or can be scheduled. The Care Navigation Team is available to help find a therapist, connect to local resources, or access community services. There is no cost, no waitlist and no referral is necessary.
You can learn more about Soluna by visiting Free & Confidential Mental Health Support for CA Youth.
The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative
BrightLife and Soluna are part of a much larger investment in California’s youth behavioral health and overall well-being: The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). The CYBHI is a five-year initiative grounded in the principles of equity and accessibility, aiming to develop a more integrated system that supports all young people, especially people who encounter the most significant systemic challenges to achieving wellness.
To learn more, please visit About CYBHI – CYBHI.