Headline
Mental health service stakeholders can use this framework to assess and strengthen behavioral health crisis systems using established national guidelines.
Context
National guidelines for behavioral health crisis care were first published in 2005 and have been updated following policy, programmatic, and technological advancements in the field. Following the implementation of the 988 Lifeline in 2022, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identified a need for enhanced guidance as crisis services expand rapidly across states, territories, and tribes.
Findings
This report details the updated national guidelines and the process followed to update them, which included review of previous guidelines and supporting materials, as well as extensive stakeholder engagement and public comment. The report presents:
- The role of crisis services within the broader behavioral health ecosystem;
- Overarching principles for a behavioral health coordinated system of crisis care;
- Three essential elements that constitute behavioral health crisis services;
- Infrastructure needed to design, implement, and sustain a coordinated system of crisis care, including community engagement, technology, and workforce.
Takeaways
Crisis care system leaders can review the state examples, recommendations, and actionable resources in this report to apply the 2025 National Crisis Guidelines in their communities.