New California law reduces wait times for mental health appointments

Due to breaking news, this segment did not air as planned on Nov. 19, 2021.

Many Americans with mental illness report waiting weeks for care, even for serious depression or suicidal thoughts. Now California has a new law, limiting those wait times to two weeks or less.

April Dembosky of KQED reports.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (En Español: 1-888-628-9454; Deaf and Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting 741741.