Roughly one in five California adults lives with a mental illness1 — and psychiatric nurses are on the front lines of their care, doing work that deserves a community built around it.
CALMN is your people, your practice, and your mental health community.
1 About 21.6% of California adults (roughly 6.6 million) had any mental illness in the past year, per 2023–24 federal survey estimates. KFF / SAMHSA NSDUH.
CALMN is an educational platform with four ways we help — because supporting a psychiatric nurse means supporting their career, their protection, their wellbeing, and the communities they serve.
Policy, workforce, and crisis-care developments that touch psychiatric nursing practice. Updated October 8, 2026.
Freestanding acute psychiatric hospitals must staff at least one licensed nurse for every six adult patients and one for every five patients under 18. Licensed vocational nurses and psychiatric technicians can make up no more than half of the licensed nurses on a unit. Trade press reports psychiatric bed losses in some counties as hospitals adjust.
The Behavioral Health Services Act replaced the Mental Health Services Act, and counties now plan mental health and substance use services together. The state has awarded $4.17 billion to more than 330 projects expected to add over 6,900 residential beds and 27,500 outpatient slots once built. A 2026–2030 workforce plan includes peer and non-licensed workers.
DHCS released a statewide tool that lets anyone compare counties' BHSA plans, spending, services, and progress, including involuntary treatment (LPS Act) and CARE Act data. DHCS plans to add datasets over the coming year.
The 988 option connecting LGBTQ+ young people to specially trained counselors returned September 30, and federal officials did not rule out removing it again. Separately, Gov. Newsom signed AB 173 on September 18, creating a state 988 governance board and tightening oversight and funding of 988 centers.
SB 989 lets first responders ask their county to refer someone to CARE Court; the county then has 30 days to decide whether to file a petition. SB 1242 lets petitioners send information about a person but not receive it without consent. SB 16 requires counties to develop training procedures for people who place patients on involuntary holds. Two bills that would have expanded conservatorship pathways died in committee.
The definition now includes severe substance use disorder and being unable to meet personal safety or necessary medical care needs, in addition to food, clothing, and shelter. A person must have a mental health disorder or severe substance use disorder and, because of it, be unable to meet those needs.
Headlines are shared for education and are not endorsements. CALMN does not take positions on pending legislation or regulation through this page.
CALMN builds a professional community for California's psychiatric nurses — supporting their wellbeing, reducing burnout, and promoting safer, healthier workplaces. But we don't stop at our own. We channel our members' expertise, compassion, and energy toward the communities they serve, giving back through public mental health education, awareness, and outreach. Because when nurses are supported and protected, everyone benefits — nurses thrive, patients receive better care, and communities grow healthier.
A California where every nurse is empowered, valued, and never alone in their work.
We are working to build an ecosystem for California's psychiatric nurses — relationships with pharmaceutical companies, digital health platforms, and nursing schools that bring real resources, opportunities, and support to our members. We launched in 2026, and this is just the beginning.
Read more in our Partnership Prospectus (PDF).
Who we are working to partner with:
CALMN's educational resources are free to use. We're a 501(c)(3) public charity supported by sponsors, partners, and donations, so psychiatric nurses and the families they serve can learn without a paywall.
Questions? hello@calmn.us ·
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
A free legal literacy tool for California nurses. Answer a few questions about a medication error, BRN notice, assault, unsafe assignment or HR meeting to see what to do first and which deadlines may be running. Not legal advice.
A free symptom check that points you to the right level of care, from home care to the ER. In an emergency, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
Answer one question and WhichDoor will point you toward the right kind of help.
This is not medical advice. In an emergency call 911. For crisis support, call or text 988.