The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is drawing attention to the mental health resources available for young people and their families, as changes occur in access to certain artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots.
On November 25, character.ai, a private company, will discontinue access to its AI companion for users aged 18 and under. These AI companions are chatbots designed to simulate conversation. Experts are still evaluating the mental health effects of this decision, but state officials recognize that some youth may feel uncertain or disrupted by the change. As a result, they are encouraging use of existing support services during this period.
“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 to provide information and guidance aimed at suicide prevention and fostering open discussions about mental health among youth and adults such as parents, caregivers, teachers, and coaches. Two platforms—BrightLife Kids and Soluna—are free behavioral health resources developed through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). These platforms offer confidential mental health support tailored for children, youth, young adults, and families across California. Services include coaching sessions, educational materials, stress management tools, moderated peer communities, as well as crisis protocols for those experiencing emotional distress.
All California families can access these services regardless of income level, immigration status or insurance coverage.
The Never a Bother campaign—a component of CYBHI—offers guidance for discussing suicide risk with young people through its website along with printable materials suitable for home, school or community settings. While not specifically focused on AI chatbots, such initiatives aim to strengthen connections between youth and supportive adults while equipping caregivers with practical tools.
For those experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis—or concerned about someone who might be—the 988 Lifeline provides immediate help via phone call or text message by dialing 988 or through online chat at Lifeline (https://988lifeline.org). This service supplements other local and national hotlines for both emergency and non-emergency situations.
In October 2025 California enacted Senate Bill 243 (SB 243), which established safeguards governing companion chatbots—the first law of its kind in the United States. Under SB 243’s implementation process CDPH will analyze data from chatbot platforms to inform future policy decisions. The law requires platforms to submit information about their protocols regarding suicidal ideation or self-harm referrals; this will help CDPH monitor trends related to suicide prevention guidance provided by these technologies.
By collecting such data under SB 243’s requirements CDPH aims to better understand how often suicide-related issues arise on companion chatbot platforms—and what types of interventions are offered—in order to shape more effective policies moving forward.
