SAMHSA Accepting Comments on 2025 Draft National Guidelines for BH Coordinated System of Crisis Care

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting public comments on the Draft 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care. This update of the National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care has been spurred by the country’s transition to the 988 Lifeline, as well as recent progress and emerging needs in the field related to behavioral health crisis system transformation.

The original 2020 National Guidelines for a BH Coordinated System of Crisis Care have guided partners around the country in building out systems of care. The proposed 2025 update will build upon the foundation that was created with the original document; with many concepts and components being preserved or updated to reflect the dynamic field as of the present day. They slightly update the three elements of a comprehensive health crisis system that are necessary to support those in need: 1) 988 and Other Behavioral Health Lines; 2) Mobile Crisis and Outreach Services; and 3) Crisis Stabilization Services. SAMHSA has leveraged the 2020 document to expand upon or clarify specific areas; companion documents intended to provide greater implementation support are forthcoming.

Key updates from the proposed 2025 National Guidelines include:

• The National Guidelines 2025 are focused on the dissemination of guidelines and is no longer labelled a toolkit. Separate companion documents that offer more detailed implementation support (e.g., toolkits) will be published at future dates to complement the guidelines.
• Reflects the national crisis landscape post transition to the 988 Lifeline.
• Incorporates more recent research related to evidence-based and promising practices and reflects the input of a broad array of partners and field experts.
• Incorporates guidance related to behavioral health crisis services definitions, particularly for the third pillar, “A Safe Place for Help.”
• Expands on the importance of supporting the whole person and family system, incorporating youth and developmental considerations that were separately described in the National Guidelines 2022.
• Places emphasis on follow-up services, care coordination, critical service intersections, and crisis systems development.

Interested people are invited to submit written comments online HERE from Thursday, December 5, 2024, through Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.