When a behavioral health crisis strikes, the emergency room is often the first place people turn for help. While emergency departments (EDs) are essential for treating physical trauma and acute medical conditions, they are not equipped to address the complex needs of individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. 

When communities face behavioral health crises, the default solutions often involve incarceration or emergency room visits. While these options might seem like the quickest route to care, they come with hidden costs that can strain the individuals in crisis, families, and healthcare systems alike. To truly address the behavioral health crisis, it’s time to reconsider how we allocate resources and explore more sustainable, impactful alternatives. 

This May, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing hosted NatCon25, a premier gathering in mental health and substance use, which brought together nearly 6,000 professionals to address critical behavioral health challenges. Our team was honored to both attend and present, engaging with a wide range of professionals dedicated to improving crisis care nationwide. 

At the recent Behavioral Health Business (BHB) Value Conference, industry leaders gathered to discuss the evolving landscape of value-based care in behavioral health. One of the standout sessions, Regulatory Changes and Policy Updates Shaping Value-Based Behavioral Health Care-featured Chris Santarsiero, Vice President of Government Affairs at Connections, alongside Peter Delia from the National Council of Mental Wellbeing and Daniel Patten from Holland & Knight. Together, they offered valuable insights on how providers, payers, and policymakers can work together to build a more sustainable, outcomes-driven behavioral health system. 

May is Mental Health Month and as conversations about emotional well-being take center stage, it's critical to spotlight one of the most urgent and underserved populations in our communities: kids and teens. 

Last week, Connections team members, Kimberly Jones, MS, LPC-S, Vice President of Clinical Operations; Chris Santarsiero, Vice President of Government Affairs; and Brittney McCarthy, Strategic Account Manager, were honored to stand alongside state and county leaders at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg during a public hearing hosted by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors. The hearing spotlighted a vital but often overlooked issue: rural mental health. 

In a recent Crisis Jam discussion, Dr. Chris Carson, pioneer of the 23-hour observation model and Co-Founder of Connections, shared his insights on strengthening crisis care systems through the no wrong door model, medical leadership, and system-wide coordination. He emphasized the importance of direct access to psychiatric care, strong law enforcement partnerships, and operational efficiency to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis. 

Recently, Dr. Margie Balfour joined the Crisis Jam to discuss one of the most pressing issues in crisis care: voluntary versus involuntary admissions. Dr. Balfour, Chief of Quality and Clinical Innovation at Connections Health Solutions took the position that crisis facilities should accept involuntary individuals, while Travis Atkinson, Director of Clinical and Crisis Services at TBD Solutions, presented the opposing view, arguing that crisis care should focus on voluntary services. 

At Connections, we’re dedicated to transforming crisis care through compassionate, efficient, and personalized support. Our multidisciplinary team works together to provide tailored interventions that lead to real, lasting outcomes. By focusing not just on stabilization but also on long-term recovery, we help individuals move beyond crisis and toward healthier futures. 

As the demand for behavioral health crisis services continues to grow, it’s clear that communities need more than just additional psychiatric beds—they need fully integrated crisis systems that ensure people receive the right care at the right time. During our recent webinar, Dr. Margie Balfour and Chris Santarsiero explored how SAMHSA’s new guidelines, policy changes, and innovative crisis care models are shaping the future of behavioral health.