Evidence-Informed Approaches to Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Stabilization

Evidence-Informed Approaches to Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Stabilization CE Course (PDF document) – Online CE Course

Evidence-Informed Approaches to Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Stabilization CE Course objectives, description, and outline

Course Objectives:

• Discuss at least one evidence-informed principle to the design and delivery of behavioral health crisis receiving and stabilization services, including matching service intensity, acuity, and environmental features to the needs of high-risk populations.
• Describe safety as a system-wide construct in crisis response, integrating de-escalation, psychosis-informed care, suicide and violence risk assessment, and protection of individuals, providers, and the community.
• Discuss at least one example of structured, person-centered crisis and safety planning in promoting immediate stabilization and continuity of care, including characteristics of effective plans supported by current mental health and crisis care literature.
• Identify at least two evidence-based and evidence-informed practices in behavioral health crisis services, including the appropriate application of research evidence, practice-based knowledge, population context, and service-setting constraints.
• Describe at least one crisis response strategy for individuals presenting with substance intoxication, overdose risk, or withdrawal, including overdose prevention principles, withdrawal management capabilities, and coordination with emergency medical services when indicated.
• Differentiate between the multiple types of crisis centers discussed and what they provide.

Course Description:

The goal of the Evidence-Informed Approaches to Behavioral Health Crisis Response and Stabilization document is to publish guidance to serve as emergency, crisis, and crisis-related services definitions that will promote clarity, quality, and consistency across services, widespread alignment of services, and further payer adoption of service coverage. This includes the articulation of recommended minimum expectations. Achieving these goals will support increased access to quality, equitable care for the entire lifespan and all individuals.

In this document behavioral health crisis services broadly refers to immediately or rapidly responsive, intensive services that are provided to address or prevent behavioral health symptoms, situations, or events that, immediately or in the near term, may negatively impact an individual’s ability to function within their current family/caregiver and living situation, school, workplace, or community.

Course Outline:

1. 1. Forward
   2. Executive Summary
   3. Introduction
   4. Overarching Principles
   5. Crisis System Component: Someone to Contact
      1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
      2. Other Behavioral Health Crisis Hotlines
      3. Peer-Operated Warmliness
      4. Other Behavioral Health Emotional Support Lines
   6. Crisis System Component: Someone to Respond
      1. Behavioral Health Practitioner-Only (BHP-Only) MCT Services
      2. Co-Responder MCT Services
      3. Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS)
      4.  Community Outreach Teams
   7. Crisis System Component: A Safe Place for Help
      1. Hospital-Based Behavioral Health Emergency Stabilization Units
      2. High-Intensity Behavioral Health Emergency Centers
      3. Moderate-Intensity Behavioral Health Crisis Centers
      4. Moderate-Intensity Behavioral Health Extended Stabilization Centers
      5. Behavioral Health Urgent Care
      6. Peer Crisis Respite
      7. Sobering Centers
      8. Moderate-Intensity Crisis Residential Programs
      9. Low-Intensity Crisis Residential Program
      10. Community Crisis Respite Apartments
      11. Children, Youth, and Families Services
      12. In-Home Stabilization Services
      13. Youth & Family Crisis Respite Care
   8. Conclusion

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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