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), 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. 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 . . .