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Making the Case for a Comprehensive Children’s Crisis Continuum of Care

Source: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors

Resource Type: Documents and Publications

Focus Population: Family Members, Foster Youth, Former Foster youth, People with Juvenile Justice System Involvement, Youth, Youth of Transition Age

Topics: Crisis Response System, Family, Psychiatric or Mental Health Stabilization

When a child, youth or young adult experiences a behavioral health crisis, families and caregivers frequently turn to law enforcement, hospital emergency departments (ED), and inpatient treatment for help. Within a crisis continuum, mobile response and stabilization services (MRSS) can effectively deescalate, stabilize, and improve treatment outcomes. The research base on the effectiveness of MRSS for children and their caregivers is growing. This white paper describes elements of an effective MRSS system for children and youth, including many state examples.