Clinical Decision-Making in Behavioral Health Crisis Systems

Clinical Decision-Making in Behavioral Health Crisis Systems (PDF document) – Online CE Course

Clinical Decision-Making in Behavioral Health Crisis Systems course objectives, description, and outline

Course Objectives:

• Discuss at least one example of barriers faced by under-resourced and marginalized populations—including individuals from racial, ethnic, sexual orientation,
  and other minority groups, individuals with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities, and individuals from rural communities—when seeking crisis services.
• Explain at least one example in which crisis services should be comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, and developed using a systems-based approach.
• Identify at least one example of a strength-based approach within crisis services.
• Describe at least one way in which the safety-planning process should be collaborative.
• Describe at least two ways in which principles of health equity are incorporated into crisis services.
• Discuss at least one example in which crisis services are designed to facilitate the elimination of inequities in care.
• Describe at least one way in which trauma impacts individuals experiencing a crisis.
• Explain at least two ways in which crisis services should promote continuity of care.
• Discuss at least one example of how crisis services should be considered within the context of the community served.
• Identify at least two methods by which individuals can access 988 crisis services.

Course Description:

The 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care (2025 National Crisis Guidelines) establishes a framework to transform behavioral health crisis care systems and reduce the impact of substance use and mental illness on communities throughout the United States. Spearheaded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), these guidelines aim to provide equitable, accessible, and effective responses to behavioral health crises, and support program design, development, implementation, and continuous quality improvement for behavioral health crisis care throughout the nation.

Course Outline:

1. The Role of Crisis Services within the Broader Behavioral Health Ecosystem
2. Overarching Principles for a BHCSCC
3. Behavioral Health Crisis Services: Three Essential Elements
   1. Someone to Contact: 988 Lifeline and Other Behavioral Health Lines
   2. Someone to Respond: Mobile Crisis and Outreach Services
   3. A Safe Place for Help: Emergency and Crisis Stabilization Services
4. Developing a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care
   1. Administrative Structure, Oversight, and Policy .
   2. Communications and Community Engagement
   3. Equitable Behavioral Health Crisis Care
   4. Evaluation and Data Collection
   5. Optimizing Crisis Systems Through Technology
   6. Financing and Fiscal Sustainability
   7. Behavioral Health Crisis Workforce Recruitment, Retention, and Support

Instructors: Nicole Hiltibran, MA, LMFT; Julie Campbell, Phd

Author: SAMHSA

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

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