SAMHSA Releases Updated National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance

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:

1. Someone to Contact: Services like the 988 Lifeline and other behavioral health hotlines provide immediate, accessible support.
2. Someone to Respond: Mobile crisis teams deliver rapid, on-site interventions to de-escalate crises and connect people to care; and
3. A 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.