LA County Launches Mental Health Awareness Campaign with Dodgers, Lakers, and LAFC

The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health launched its annual mental health awareness campaign this month, bringing in some of the city's biggest sports teams to help spread the message.

The 2026 "Take Action for Mental Health L.A. County" campaign runs through May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. The department is partnering with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Football Club, Meruelo Media, and Univision to reach communities that might not otherwise engage with mental health services.

The campaign includes 137 events hosted by 84 community-based organizations across the county. Events are available both in person and online, with a focus on transition-aged youth and young adults between 16 and 25.

LACDMH director Dr. Lisa Wong said the sports partnerships are designed to reach people where they already are. "When a Dodger or a Laker talks about mental health, people listen," Wong said. "We want to use that platform to reduce stigma and connect people to care."

The campaign comes as mental health challenges remain significant in Los Angeles County, which has one of the largest homeless populations in the country. County data shows that untreated mental illness is a major factor in homelessness, substance use, and involvement in the criminal justice system.

Nationally, nearly one in five adults experiences mental illness each year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Among young adults aged 18 to 34, rates of anxiety and depression have risen steadily over the past decade.

The LACDMH campaign also highlights the county's network of free and low-cost mental health services. Residents can call the county's mental health helpline at 1-800-854-7771 for referrals and crisis support.

Events during the campaign include wellness walks, community conversations, and workshops on stress management and resilience. A full schedule is available on the LACDMH website.