Take Space to Pause

A youth-created statewide campaign to help teens recognize stress and take action for their mental health.

This CYBHI statewide campaign is made for teens and by teens.

Take Space to Pause is helping young people across California challenge stigma, build self-awareness, and adopt healthy coping strategies before stress becomes overwhelming.

Launched by the California Department of Public Health, this youth-led initiative centers teen voices and lived experiences to create meaningful tools and messages that resonate with their peers. The campaign introduces the idea of recognizing individual “breaking points” — those moments when emotions or stress levels feel like too much — and encourages youth to create their own personalized “pause plans” to restore balance and mental well-being.

With a focus on equity and inclusion, Take Space to Pause uplifts diverse youth voices and provides culturally responsive, accessible resources in English and Spanish. Teens are invited to visit TakeSpaceToPause.org to explore the campaign, design a plan that works for them, and share the message with their communities.

Looking for ways to pause, reset, and recharge? Check out the Take Space to Pause 2025 webinar for practical tips and strategies.

 

Why It Matters

Young people across California are navigating increasingly complex mental health challenges — and for many, the stakes are even higher. Youth from Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities — as well as LGBTQ+ teens — often face compounding stressors with fewer accessible supports.

Take Space to Pause was created to meet this urgent need by providing:

  • 🌱 A judgment-free starting point to explore mental health and emotional well-being

  • 🛠️ A customizable “pause plan” builder that helps teens recognize stress and take action early

  • 🎙️ Authentic, peer-created content that feels real, relatable, and empowering

By promoting self-awareness and proactive coping, this campaign helps teens care for their mental health before reaching a breaking point.

Tools & Resources to Support Youth Mental Health

Take Space to Pause offers accessible, teen-driven resources to support mental well-being — wherever young people are on their journey. Whether you’re looking for tools to take a break, connect with others, or explore deeper support, you’ll find it here.

Start exploring:

Featured CYBHI Radio Interviews

These radio interviews were coordinated by Rescue Agency to support CYBHI grantees in elevating local campaigns and mental health initiatives. Hear from CYBHI partners and grantees as they share mental health resources, community impact, and local stories across California radio.