The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is drawing attention to available mental health resources for young people and their families as some forms of artificial intelligence (AI) companionship become less accessible.
On November 25, the private company character.ai will restrict access to its AI companion chatbot for users aged 18 and younger. These chatbots simulate conversation using artificial intelligence. The potential mental health effects of this change are still being studied, but state officials are encouraging those affected to seek support if needed.
“The world our youth live in is constantly changing, and the role artificial intelligence plays in their lives is complicated,” said Dr. Rita Nguyen, CDPH Assistant State Health Officer. “While data and science on the topic are still evolving, ongoing reports on youth dependency on this technology are of concern and warrant further research. We encourage families to talk and to take advantage of the numerous resources available to support mental health.”
CDPH continues its efforts to share suicide prevention resources and communication strategies that encourage honest discussions about mental health between youth and adults such as parents, caregivers, teachers, and coaches. Among these resources are BrightLife Kids and Soluna—free behavioral health platforms developed through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). These services provide children, youth, young adults, and families with timely, culturally responsive, confidential mental health support including coaching sessions, educational content, stress management tools, moderated peer communities, as well as crisis intervention protocols.
These platforms are open to all California families regardless of income level, immigration status or insurance coverage.
Another program under CYBHI is the Never a Bother campaign for youth suicide prevention. It provides guidance on discussing suicide and mental health challenges with young people. The campaign offers print materials designed for use at home, school or in community settings. While not directly related to AI chatbots, these initiatives aim to foster stronger connections between youth and caregivers while increasing awareness around suicide risk.
For immediate help during a crisis involving suicidal thoughts or substance use issues, individuals can call or text 988 or visit Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org), which serves as a national three-digit access point for urgent assistance.
In October 2025, California enacted Senate Bill 243—the first law in the country establishing safeguards for companion chatbots used by youth. As part of implementing this legislation, CDPH will analyze data provided by AI chatbot companies in order to make future policy recommendations. This data includes information about protocols for handling users expressing suicidal thoughts or self-harm concerns on chatbot platforms. By tracking this information, CDPH aims to better understand how often suicide prevention guidance is offered by these technologies and inform future public health strategies.
