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. 

The conference created a valuable forum where innovation met practice, uniting clinicians, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates around a shared mission: designing, operating, and funding best-in-class crisis systems that support the full continuum of care. Here are three key takeaways from the event: 

1. The crisis continuum: a holistic approach

A clear theme throughout the conference was the importance of viewing crisis services as a complete continuum rather than isolated components, an approach that has long been recognized but continues to gain momentum. The "no wrong door" approach ensures individuals receive the appropriate care regardless of how they enter the system, encompassing: 

• Someone to call: 24/7 crisis call centers, including the 988 Lifeline, offer immediate support and connect people to the right level of care. 

• Someone to respond: Mobile crisis teams bringing care directly to people in need 

• A safe place to go: Crisis stabilization facilities offering alternatives to emergency departments 

This three-pronged approach ensures that individuals experiencing behavioral health crises receive appropriate care regardless of how they enter the system. Already proven to improve outcomes, this model remained a central focus throughout the conference as leaders and stakeholders explored ways to strengthen crisis systems and meet people where they are. 

Supporting this approach, the conference also highlighted SAMHSA’s newly released National Behavioral Health Crisis Care Guidance, which offers a comprehensive framework for transforming crisis care systems nationwide. This guidance includes two key documents: 

• 2025 National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Crisis Care 
• 2025 Model Definitions for Behavioral Health Emergency, Crisis, and Crisis-Related Services 

These guidelines establish tiered standards for crisis stabilization services, providing communities with clear pathways to integrate these vital services into their emergency response systems. 

2. Federal policy can accelerate crisis system transformation

Chris Santarsiero, Vice President of Government Affairs at Connections, highlighted how federal efforts are supporting 24/7/365 crisis stabilization services and advancing the national vision of ensuring “a safe place to go” for all individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 

A central focus was the Crisis Care Access and Response Expansion for Behavioral Health Act of 2024 (CARE for Behavioral Health Act), a bipartisan bill introduced by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Key provisions include: 

• Launching a Medicare coverage pilot for crisis services ensuring that psychiatric emergency care is accessible through Medicare. 

• Addressing Medicare coverage gaps for community-based crisis services, impacting over 64 million beneficiaries. 

• Setting standards that could influence private insurers, improving crisis care access for 160 million Americans, including children and adolescents. 

These policy initiatives represent a significant step toward creating sustainable, accessible crisis care systems across the country, with federal support amplifying local and state efforts. When paired with local and state-level initiatives, they help create the policy foundation needed to ensure that every community can implement a full continuum of crisis care. 

3. Real solutions for communities

Presenters shared strategies for how state, county, and municipal governments can implement high-quality emergency response crisis stabilization centers. These centers offer solutions to persistent challenges including: 

• Emergency department boarding 

• Inappropriate jail incarceration of individuals with behavioral health needs 

• Overwhelming pressure on law enforcement and first responders 

The evidence presented was conclusive: well-designed crisis stabilization centers can effectively divert individuals from unnecessary emergency department visits, psychiatric hospitalization, and inappropriate incarceration. 

Looking forward

The energy and commitment at NatCon2025 reflected a growing national consensus: behavioral health crisis care systems are essential infrastructure that save lives, reduce costs, and better serve our communities. 

As momentum builds nationwide, we invite community leaders, healthcare systems, and policymakers to: 

1. Review the new SAMHSA guidelines and assess your current crisis response capabilities
2. Engage with experienced partners who understand the complexities of crisis system development
3. Advocate for sustainable funding mechanisms at local, state, and federal levels 
4. Prioritize implementation of all three components of the crisis continuum 

By learning from established experts and implementing evidence-based models, communities across the country can transform how they respond to behavioral health crises. Connections remains committed to partnering with communities ready to take this important step forward. 

Connections’ proven clinical model supports SAMHSA’s “no wrong door” approach by: 

• Providing immediate access to care 

• Offering comprehensive assessment 

• Delivering appropriate interventions based on individual needs 

• Creating seamless connections to ongoing care 

This model gives communities a practical, evidence-based framework to improve outcomes and reduce strain on emergency departments, hospitals, and law enforcement. 

For more information on crisis system development or to learn how Connections Health Solutions can support your community's crisis care initiatives, please visit About.