The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), today released updated National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance (National Guidance), comprised of three documents: 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care; Model Definitions for Behavioral Health Emergency, Crisis, and Crisis-Related Services; and a draft Mobile Crisis Team Services: An Implementation Toolkit, which is being released today for public comment. The updated National Guidance now reflects the national transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 and other progress and emerging needs related to behavioral health crisis care, and provides a framework for transforming behavioral health crisis care systems in communities throughout the United States, at a time when the U.S. continues to face record high rates of suicide and overdose.“Everyone in this country, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to crisis care for mental health and substance use issues,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is helping to transform behavioral health crisis care in this country. This guidance will help communities continue to develop and enhance their behavioral health crisis services and systems to ensure everyone has access to the care that they need.”SAMHSA developed the National Guidance for state, territory, tribal and local governments and others to understand, implement and sustain effective behavioral health crisis services as well as provide information for practitioners about how to offer quality care. These guidance documents were developed through a collaborative process involving listening sessions, expert consultations, and public feedback.“SAMHSA’s National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance has been updated to reflect the transition to 988 as a pivotal moment in the ongoing collaborative work to transform behavioral health crisis care in this country,” said HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., and the leader of SAMHSA. “This new guidance will help support communities in designing, implementing, and continuously improving their crisis care systems so that people in crisis receive timely and effective support.”The National Guidance is built on three foundational elements that are essential within an integrated crisis care system, and with the goal that everyone should have:Someone to Contact: Services like the 988 Lifeline and other behavioral health hotlines provide immediate, accessible support.Someone to Respond: Mobile crisis teams deliver rapid, on-site interventions to de-escalate crises and connect people to care; andA Safe Place for Help: Stabilization services offer a safe environment where people can receive support and care to address their behavioral health crisis needs, support for crisis resolution, and connections to appropriate levels of care.Public comments are being accepted for the draft Mobile Crisis Team Services: An Implementation Toolkit through March 21 on SAMHSA’s National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance webpage.The updated guidance, which replaces SAMHSA’s 2020 and 2022 National Guidance, expands on the importance of supporting the whole person and family system, incorporating youth and developmental considerations that were separately described in previous guidelines. The guidance places emphasis on follow-up services, care coordination, critical service intersections, and crisis systems development and reflects the national crisis landscape after the nation’s transition to the 988 Lifeline.If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health, drug, or alcohol issues, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).Reporters with questions should send inquiries to media@samhsa.hhs.gov.
Brief
On January 15, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued an update regarding SAMHSA Releases Updated National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance. The updated guidance reflects the national transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 and provides a framework for transforming behavioral health crisis care systems in communities throughout the United States. It emphasizes access to crisis care for mental health and substance use issues, with a focus on follow-up services, care coordination, and critical service intersections.
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Purpose
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released updated National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance, which aims to provide a framework for transforming behavioral health crisis care systems in communities throughout the United States. This guidance reflects the national transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 and other progress and emerging needs related to behavioral health crisis care.
The updated guidance is comprised of three documents: 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care, Model Definitions for Behavioral Health Emergency, Crisis, and Crisis-Related Services, and a draft Mobile Crisis Team Services: An Implementation Toolkit. The purpose of this guidance is to support communities in designing, implementing, and continuously improving their crisis care systems so that people in crisis receive timely and effective support.
Effects on Industry
The updated National Guidance has significant implications for the mental health and substance abuse treatment industries. It emphasizes the importance of supporting the whole person and family system, incorporating youth and developmental considerations, follow-up services, care coordination, critical service intersections, and crisis systems development. This guidance is expected to have a positive impact on the industry by promoting a more comprehensive and integrated approach to behavioral health crisis care.
The transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 has already led to significant changes in the way crisis care services are delivered. The updated guidance builds on this momentum, providing a framework for communities to develop and enhance their behavioral health crisis services and systems. This is expected to lead to improved outcomes for individuals in crisis, including reduced rates of suicide and overdose.
Relevant Stakeholders
The stakeholders affected by the updated National Guidance include:
- State, territory, tribal, and local governments responsible for developing and implementing crisis care systems
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment providers who will be working with communities to develop and implement crisis care services
- Consumers and individuals in crisis who will benefit from improved access to timely and effective support
These stakeholders are expected to play a critical role in implementing the updated guidance, which is designed to support the development of comprehensive and integrated crisis care systems.
Next Steps
To comply with or respond to the update, the following next steps are recommended:
- Review the updated National Guidance documents and implementation toolkit
- Engage with community stakeholders, including mental health and substance abuse treatment providers, to develop and implement crisis care services
- Provide public comments on the draft Mobile Crisis Team Services: An Implementation Toolkit through March 21
Any Other Relevant Information
Additional information that may be helpful to stakeholders includes:
- The updated National Guidance is built on three foundational elements: someone to contact (e.g., the 988 Lifeline), someone to respond (mobile crisis teams), and a safe place for help (stabilization services)
- The guidance places emphasis on follow-up services, care coordination, critical service intersections, and crisis systems development
- Public comments are being accepted through March 21 on SAMHSA’s National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance webpage.
