2023 14th Annual NUBE Conference

The new 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline went live in July 2022, providing an alternative to 911 for people experiencing behavioral health emergencies.  This-compounded with bipartisan support for increasing behavioral health funding and policing reform movements focused on creating non-law enforcement responses to behavioral emergencies-is catalyzing a once-in-a-lifetime expansion in behavioral health crisis services.  It is important for AAEP membership to be aware of these developments as they provide new opportunities for funding emergency behavioral health care, creating alternatives that lessen the need for ED utilization, and better care for the individuals we serve.  Furthermore, AAEP members can shape the development of these new services via policy advocacy and as local medical leaders.  The presenters include SAMHSA leadership, national experts in suicide prevention and crisis systems, a police sergeant and a peer services director.  The session will begin with an overview of SAMHSA's vision for crisis care in which everyone has "someone to call, someone to respond, and a safe place to go."  Next we provide an overview of 988, data and lessons learned from the first year of implementation, and future plans.  Then we outline trends, best practices, and funding opportunities for mobile crisis and facility-based crisis care.  SAMHSA has a goal that peers will be involved in crisis care.  A director of peer services at a 988 center will describe the uniquely effective way that peers can help develop safety plans in acute care settings and provide ongoing care to individuals in crisis after a hospital visit.  Next we will discuss the role of law enforcement in BH emergency response and highlight best practices for collaborations between law enforcement and care providers.  Then we describe tools that communities can use to help plan and coordinate the development of their crisis systems and highlight opportunities for clinical leadership and policy advocacy at both the national and state legislative levels.  The session will conclude with a panel discussion and audience Q&A.