Avenues Recovery, an addiction rehab center in New Hampshire, aims to spread the word that, thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan, New Hampshire has become the 20th state to expand essential behavioral health services through mobile crisis intervention teams. This represents a major step forward in improving care for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use crises. With recent approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), New Hampshire will now provide 24/7 access to behavioral health professionals for Medicaid-eligible individuals in need of urgent support.
According to the government’s Health and Human Services Website, these mobile crisis intervention teams are designed to deliver immediate care wherever it’s needed, helping people in crisis with rapid assessments, crisis de-escalation, and referrals to further services. This community-based approach meets individuals in their own environments, ensuring fast, personalized care during emergencies. As HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra highlighted, expanding mental health and substance use care is a key priority for the Biden-Harris Administration, and services like these are critical in saving lives and building healthier communities.
The mobile crisis teams in New Hampshire will not only address immediate needs but also help reduce the necessity for more costly inpatient services by providing early intervention and connecting people to ongoing care. Medicaid funding will now support crisis response efforts, including crisis planning, direct referrals to specialized services, and follow-up care for those dealing with mental health or substance use challenges. This approval marks an important milestone in the state’s commitment to enhancing behavioral health services and offering people access to trained professionals when they need it most.
The Biden-Harris Administration has made tackling the nation’s mental health crisis a central focus, and mobile crisis intervention teams are part of a broader effort to reform mental health care across the U.S. According to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, offering 24/7 access to behavioral health specialists can be transformative for individuals experiencing a crisis, especially during National Recovery Month, when attention is focused on recovery and support for those working through mental health challenges.
New Hampshire joins a growing list of states offering similar services under Medicaid, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia, as well as the District of Columbia. Each of these states has recognized the importance of integrating behavioral health services into their Medicaid programs to provide faster, more effective care for individuals in crisis.
This expansion is part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda, which aims to improve mental health services for all Americans by offering more accessible, community-based support. Mobile crisis teams act as a crucial first point of contact, helping to stabilize situations before they escalate into more serious crises. With professionals available in homes and communities, individuals who may not seek help in traditional settings can receive the care they need.
For New Hampshire residents, the new services mean that help is always available. Whether for themselves or a loved one, Medicaid-eligible individuals now have access to professionals trained in mental health and substance use care, ensuring support in the moments when it’s needed most. This approval represents a significant step in the state’s effort to build a more responsive, inclusive mental health care system. As more states adopt this model, mobile crisis intervention teams are set to play a critical role in transforming how the U.S. addresses mental health and substance use emergencies.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a mental health disorder or addiction, take the courageous step to reach out for the help you need. With the right tools and support, you can recover. At Avenues Recovery, we have helped thousands of people live healthier, happier, and addiction-free lives, and we can help you too!