The California Department of Health Care Access and Information recently introduced the Certified Wellness Coach program to address the increasing mental health needs of the state’s youth. The program is part of a larger initiative aimed at improving mental health support in schools and community-based organizations. Certified wellness coaches work alongside licensed clinicians to provide nonclinical behavioral health support to students of all ages.
The program aims to address the rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among California’s youth, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to these challenges, wellness coaches offer preventive and early intervention services, such as classroom presentations, screenings, individual check-ins, and referrals to behavioral health providers.
There are two types of wellness coaches: Certified Wellness Coach 1 and Certified Wellness Coach II. The former focuses on wellness promotion, education, and screenings, while the latter provides more in-depth support for common behavioral health conditions like depression and anxiety. By offering these services at all levels of schooling, from early education to community college, the program aims to provide students with the tools and skills to support their mental health and build resilience.
In addition to addressing mental health issues, wellness coaches also aim to relieve some of the burden on teachers who may be experiencing burnout. By providing additional support for students with behavioral health needs, wellness coaches can help teachers focus on academic success while ensuring that all students have access to the care they need.
To ensure that the program is accessible and inclusive, wellness coaches are recruited from diverse backgrounds and receive training in cultural responsiveness and humility. Efforts have been made to reach underserved and underrepresented communities through outreach campaigns and scholarship opportunities for aspiring coaches. The program also aims to make services billable through insurance to ensure sustainability beyond the initial funding period.
Feedback on the program has been positive, with students, parents, and educators praising the support provided by wellness coaches. Students have expressed gratitude for having a trusted adult to confide in, while parents see the program as a valuable resource for the community. Overall, the program aims to improve student well-being, academic performance, and school attendance by providing essential mental health support to California’s youth.
