National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Health Management Associates (HMA) launch the National Collaborative for Crisis Systems Innovation
The United States is facing an escalating behavioral health crisis, with growing demand for mental health and substance use services and persistent gaps in access to timely, appropriate care. In response, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Health Management Associates (HMA) have launched the National Collaborative for Crisis Systems Innovation, a new initiative focused on improving how the United States responds to people in mental health crisis.
This collaborative effort comes at a critical moment for the national crisis response system, as policymakers, providers, and communities work to build on recent investments and make further progress on sustainable, systemwide changes so that people experiencing a mental health crisis receive the care they need and deserve.
The Crisis Response System Still Needs Improvement
The launch of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022 marked a major milestone, making it easier for individuals to access immediate behavioral health support. Although the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has driven recent progress, significant challenges remain in the US mental health crisis system, including:
- Rising demand for crisis services
- Limited access to community-based behavioral health services
- Fragmentation across crisis responses systems
- Overreliance on emergency departments and law enforcement
Experts increasingly agree that 988 is only one component of a comprehensive crisis system. Effective systems must also include:
- Mobile crisis response teams
- Crisis stabilization facilities
- Ongoing care coordination and follow-up services
The National Collaborative represents the next phase of work and will focus on connecting these pieces into a more integrated and sustainable system.
The National Collaborative Is a New Phase of Crisis System Transformation
Building on four years of foundational work since the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched in 2022, the National Collaborative is designed to strengthen the full continuum of behavioral health crisis care, from initial contact to stabilization and follow-up services.
Its overarching goal is to ensure that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis receive timely, appropriate care rooted in dignity and support. The National Collaborative will:
- Serve as a nationwide hub for coordination, learning, and action
- Bring together public and private stakeholders across sectors
- Support states and communities in building coordinated, person-centered crisis response systems
- Advance innovation and shared solutions to improve outcomes
The launch of this collaborative also reflects a broader shift in national focus—from expanding access to improving system performance and long-term sustainability. This approach recognizes that meaningful progress will require coordination across healthcare, social services, and community-based organizations.
Why This Matters
For state Medicaid agencies, health plans, and providers, the collaborative provides a platform to:
- Learn from peers across states and sectors
- Access emerging policy and implementation insights
- Align local strategies with national priorities in crisis care
As crisis system transformation accelerates, coordinated efforts like this one will be essential to sustain momentum and improve outcomes.
In the coming months, NAMI and HMA will engage key interest-holders and experts to identify and elevate the urgent needs in crisis response and ensure alignment on shared outcomes to improve crisis systems. Public and private organizations interested in improving behavioral health crisis systems are encouraged to engage with the National Collaborative for Crisis Systems Innovation.
For more information on HMA’s work in Crisis services, contact Monica Johnson, Managing Director, HMA.