Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement (also known as simply Each Mind Matters) is an outreach and educational organization operated by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) that provides resources on mental health focused on communities including ethnic minorities, LGBT individuals, and religious communities. The organization also creates resources and lesson plans concerning mental health for K-12 student in California public schools. The organization was founded as a result of the California Mental Services Act which was enacted by a 2004 ballot measure. It is funded by county governments in California through CalMHSA. ^{1 2 3}

Background

Each Mind Matters was created pursuant to the California Mental Services Act which was enacted in 2004 via a ballot measure numbered Proposition 63. The measure was described as providing the “the funding and the framework needed to transform the California community mental health system from a crisis-driven system to one focused on prevention and wellness and to expand services to reach previously underserved populations and all of California’s diverse communities.” Specific funding areas that Prop 63 funded included “community services and supports prevention and early intervention (PEI), housing, innovations, capital facilities, technology and workforce investment and training.” ^{4 5}

Each Mind Matters provides “prevention and early intervention materials” promoting mental health resources. The organization is operated by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA) and is funded by California county governments. ⁶

Activities

Each Mind Matters operates several initiatives to “address stigma reduction, suicide prevention and mental health.” The organization has created initiatives in both English and Spanish including initiatives that “teach children about mental health” and organize a student film contest. ⁷

The organization’s “Walk in Our Shoes” website is targeted towards teaching children about mental health and includes descriptions of mental illnesses including ADHD, anxiety (panic disorder), autism, bi-polar disorder, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia. ⁸

Resources

Each Mind Matters houses 21 resource libraries aimed at specific demographic populations such as various ethnic-minority groups, men, women, LGBT people, COVID-19, religious communities, and school children. ⁹

The organization offers a variety of lesson plans aimed at teaching children about mental health in schools including resources for teachers and students. The organization offers lesson plans and resources from kindergarten to college. According to the organization, its “activities vary from short stories and films, all the way to full length feature films. Each activity includes discussion questions for students to reflect on and share with classmates. The collection of mental health activities for students includes facilitator guides, activity plans, evaluations, and template letters to be sent home to parents.” ¹⁰

The organization also provides letter templates to be sent to parents informing them of the topics covered in the lesson plans it provides. One letter details that students will have the opportunity to “read and discuss one of several age-appropriate book titles that help elementary students develop strategies, tools and skills for individual and community well-being […] exploring nuanced questions about what mental health means and what support can look like for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.” ¹¹

1. “About Us.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/about-us
2. “Collections.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/collections
3. “Children and Schools.” Each Mine Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023.
   https://emmresourcecenter.org/collection/children–schools
4. “About Prop 63” University of California Student Mental Health Resources and Promising Practices. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://www.ucop.edu/student-mental-health-resources/about/proposition-63%20/
5. “About Us.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/about-us
6. “About Us.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/about-us
7. “Initiatives.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/initiatives
8. “Mental Health Challenges.” Walk in Our Shoes. http://walkinourshoes.org/mental-health-challenges/
9. “Collections.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/collections
10. “School Mental Health Activities.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/school-mental-health-activities
11. “Parent Letter Template.” Each Mind Matters. Accessed May 23, 2023. https://emmresourcecenter.org/system/files/2020-08/Parent%20Letter%20Template_0.docx