BRING MENTAL HEALTH INTO THE LIGHT... Even if just a traffic light
About Mental Health Plate
Designed by California students. Supporting California students.
California's Mental Health Awareness License Plate is a student-designed statewide initiative to raise awareness of mental health and create an ongoing source of funding to support youth mental health across California.
That Awesome Design
The plate was created through a statewide high school student design opportunity. The winning design was created by Anushree B. of Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, working with her teacher, Jeff Silverman.
Her design brings together the shape of California, the mental health awareness ribbon, and California’s iconic palm trees — a reminder that mental health touches every community in our state.
There is Reason for Hope
California’s young people continue to face significant mental health challenges, but recent data show encouraging progress:
- 28% of California students reported chronic sadness or hopelessness in 2023–24, down from 35% in 2021–22.¹
- 11% reported seriously considering suicide, down from 15% in 2021–22.¹
- Schools with health or wellness centers providing behavioral health services were associated with a 6% lower rate of suicidal thoughts compared with the study average.¹
The direction is encouraging, but the work is not finished.
The Mental Health Awareness License Plate can help continue that progress — keeping mental health visible on California’s roads while creating an ongoing source of funding to support youth mental health across the state.
Source
¹ Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), Teen Mental Health and School-Based Services in California, January 2026. Analysis includes California Healthy Kids Survey data through the 2023–24 school year.
Read the PPIC report
i want a plate
Sign up to be among the first to know when California's Mental Health Awareness Plate becomes available. We'll keep you updated and let you know when it's time to complete your order.
i want TO HELP
Help us bring California's Mental Health Awareness Plate to the road. Your donation supports the campaign to launch the plate and helps build a lasting source of funding for youth mental health across California.
Or donate from your phone - Text 4RKIDS to 44321
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