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Effective Behavioral Health Crisis Care for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Source: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

Resource Type: Documents and Publications

Focus Population: People experiencing Homelessness

Topics: Crisis Response System, Homelessness, Housing Support, Mobile Crisis Unit, Recovery from Mental Health or Substance Use Disorders

Using SAMHSA’s National Guidelines as a framework, this paper explores issues that should be considered in the design and implementation of core crisis system components, with specific consideration of the needs of individuals who experience homelessness. There is significant attention to homelessness through a housing lens, yet solutions to homelessness are complicated by a range of issues, including poverty, housing unaffordability, structural racism, and behavioral health conditions. As discussed in the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors report, Bolder Goals, Better Results: Seven Breakthrough Strategies to Improve Mental Illness Outcomes, ending homelessness is key to achieving the maximum possible success in strengthening behavioral health systems and improving mental health outcomes.