Why AB 1626 Matters for Youth (and the Adults Who Show Up for Them)

One of the core ideas behind Open Doors training is simple but powerful: the adults already present in a young person’s community (beyond clinicians or medical professionals) can make a meaningful difference in that person’s life.

A bill currently moving through the California legislature reflects that same belief.

AB 1626, authored by California Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, would establish mental health training requirements for high school and youth sports organization coaches statewide. The goal is not to turn coaches into therapists, but to equip them with the tools to recognize warning signs, communicate without stigma, and connect young people to the support they need.

In many ways, it’s about helping coaches do what Open Doors participants already practice every day: paying attention, engaging with care, and opening the right doors.

Coaches Are Already on the Frontlines

Coaches are a critical part of the support network that surrounds young people. They often spend hours each week with youth — building trust, witnessing challenges, and shaping team culture. That proximity matters.

However, research shows a gap: fewer than 1 in 5 coaches feel confident linking athletes to mental health resources, and even fewer feel prepared to recognize stressors outside of sports.

That’s where training makes a difference.

The skills emphasized in Open Doors — such as leading with curiosity rather than judgment, recognizing when something feels off, and connecting youth with appropriate support — are the same skills that AB 1626 aims to expand across California’s coaching community.

The Stakes Are High

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of anxiety, depression, and thoughts of self-harm among youth have increased by 40% over the past decade.

Young athletes are not immune to these trends. In fact, the pressures of competition, performance, recruitment, and team dynamics can add another layer of stress.

A single moment of awareness — like a coach noticing a shift in behavior, asking the right question, or creating space for a real conversation — can make a lasting impact. Sometimes, it can be the turning point.

A Shared Responsibility

As Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us, supporting youth mental health isn’t the responsibility of one system or one profession; it’s something we all have a role in.

AB 1626 represents a step toward strengthening that collective response by ensuring more adults in young people’s lives are equipped to show up in informed, supportive ways.

If you’ve participated in the Open Doors Core Training, you already understand the power of these skills. We encourage you to share this bill with coaches and youth-serving professionals in your network and to continue modeling what it looks like to engage with young people in ways that build trust, reduce stigma, and open pathways to support.

Because when more adults are prepared to show up, more young people have a chance to be seen, heard, and supported.