by Laine Himmelmann<\/p>\n
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Blue Shield of California\u2019s BlueSky youth mental health initiative<\/a> has received the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association\u2019s prestigious 2026 North Star Award <\/a>in the Healthier Lives for Members and Local Communities category, recognizing its efforts to expand\u00a0<\/a>youth mental health support across California.<\/p>\n The North Star Awards honor outstanding programs and initiatives across the Blue Cross and Blue Shield system that create meaningful impact for members and local communities.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cStrong mental health begins in childhood and lays the foundation for lifelong well-being,\u201d said Mike Stuart, president and CEO of Blue Shield of California. \u201cNearly\u00a01 in 4<\/a>\u00a0U.S. adults have experienced a mental illness in the past year.\u00a0Mental health challenges can increase the risk of chronic disease and poorer health outcomes later in life, which is why investing in youth mental health is one of the most important ways we can improve the long-term health of our communities. We\u2019re honored to receive this recognition and proud to work alongside schools, community organizations, educators, and young people to expand access to care and help more Californians thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Blue Shield launched BlueSky in 2019 after California received a D grade in youth mental health from Children Now<\/a>, a nonprofit dedicated to children\u2019s public policy issues. Since then, the BlueSky initiative has grown into a statewide effort focused on improving emotional well-being for young people through school-based and virtual mental health services, educator training, and youth-led advocacy programs, particularly in underserved communities.<\/p>\n The need remains urgent. Blue Shield\u2019s 2025 BlueSky Youth Mental Health Survey<\/a> found that 94% of California Gen Z youth report regularly struggling with mental health challenges.<\/p>\n \u201cThe mental health challenges facing California\u2019s youth demand action from all of us,\u201d said Dr. Deneen Vojta, executive vice president of Healthcare Quality and Affordability at Blue Shield of California. \u201cThrough BlueSky, we\u2019re connecting young people to care sooner by meeting them where they are, equipping trusted adults with the tools to respond, and making sure youth voices help shape solutions. That\u2019s how we create lasting change.\u201d<\/p>\n Since its launch, BlueSky has:<\/p>\n
A cornerstone of BlueSky is its commitment to youth leadership. Through school clubs, advocacy programs, and statewide engagement opportunities, young people help shape program priorities, outreach efforts, and emerging mental health solutions. Blue Shield is also a recurring sponsor of NAMI California\u2019s Youth Advocacy Day<\/a>, which brings hundreds of students to the State Capitol each year to engage policymakers and advocate for stronger youth mental health support.<\/p>\n \u201cThe success of BlueSky is deeply rooted in the voices of the young people it serves,\u201d said Frank Caporusso, senior vice president of Healthcare Quality and Affordability Operations at Blue Shield of California. \u201cBy listening to youth and our members, we\u2019re able to design behavioral health programs that respond to real needs. We are proud of what BlueSky has accomplished so far, and we\u2019re committed to continuing this work so more young people have the support and resources they need to thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n The national North Star Award recognition highlights BlueSky’s collaborative, community-based approach to addressing the youth mental health crisis by bringing together schools, nonprofits, educators, and young people themselves.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\n\tSupported more than 30,000 youth and educators through on-campus and online mental health services, educator training, and youth-driven advocacy programs
\n\tDelivered 30,543 individual, family, group, and crisis\u2011<\/a>intervention therapy sessions through its collaboration with nonprofit Wellness Together<\/a>
\n\tTrained more than 9,000 educators and caring adults in Youth Mental Health First Aid in partnership with the California Department of Education,<\/a> with 95% reporting confidence in supporting youth in distress
\n\tHelped expand the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) California\u2019s youth\u2011led mental health club network to more than 170\u00a0clubs statewide, empowering thousands of students to reduce stigma, build peer support, and raise awareness of mental health resources
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