Assembly Concurrent Resolution 23 recognizes the third week of May 2025 as Mental Health Peer Appreciation Week in California. The resolution is largely commemorative and declaratory: it honors peers—people with lived experience of mental or behavioral health challenges—for the support, empathy, and practical guidance they provide to others in recovery and wellness. It also highlights the role peer voices can play in shaping policy and improving access to behavioral health services.
The resolution emphasizes several policy themes tied to California’s behavioral health system, including the state’s implementation of the Behavioral Health Services Act, the need for greater peer civic engagement, and the shortage of behavioral health workers. It specifically points to Medi-Cal peer support specialists and county behavioral health agencies as part of the effort to expand access to care and close service gaps. The measure does not create a new program, mandate, or funding source; instead, it formally recognizes and promotes awareness of peer support work during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Impact
ACR 23 does not amend the California Codes or impose regulatory requirements. Its legal effect is limited to a legislative recognition of Mental Health Peer Appreciation Week and a directive for the Assembly Chief Clerk to transmit copies of the resolution to the author for distribution. The practical impact is symbolic and advocacy-oriented, elevating the visibility of peer support specialists and reinforcing the importance of lived experience in behavioral health policy and service delivery.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have enjoyed broad, noncontroversial support. It moved through the Legislature on consent calendars and passed each recorded vote unanimously, indicating strong bipartisan agreement or at least no recorded opposition. The tone of the resolution is affirming and supportive of mental health peers, with an emphasis on appreciation, recovery, and improving the behavioral health system.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention around ACR 23. Because it is a ceremonial resolution rather than a policy bill, there were no committee transcript debates or recorded dissent in the available voting history. The only potentially policy-relevant themes are the references to the Behavioral Health Services Act, workforce shortages, and Medi-Cal peer support specialists, but these are presented as reasons for recognition rather than as disputed legislative changes.