Right Help, Right Now

Governor Youngkin's Behavioral Health Care Three-Year Transformation

October 2024 | News and Updates

Celebrating World Mental Health Day

Dear Friends,

October 10th marked World Mental Health Day—a day that underscores the vital importance of mental well-being in our daily lives. This mission is at the heart of what we do, and we remain deeply committed to ensuring every Virginian has access to the mental health care they need, when they need it. Together, we can continue building a stronger continuum of care and support mental health for all. Thank you for being part of this journey.

Kind regards,

Hallie Pence

Executive Director

Right Help, Right Now

Register for our Stakeholder Call

Hear from the newly appointed Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly, get updates on the progress of Right Help, Right Now, and hear directly from key leaders driving this important work. This call will highlight recent developments, the efforts still underway, and the work ahead as we continue transforming behavioral health in Virginia.

Expanding Emergency Room Alternatives

With the third round of grant awards, the state continues to expand Crisis Receiving Centers (CRCs), Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs), and Crisis Therapeutic Homes (CTHs). These new grants build on previous awards from December 2023 and March 2024, further supporting emergency room alternatives for individuals in behavioral health crises. The new centers are part of a broader effort to ensure that individuals across the Commonwealth have timely access to critical care, and law enforcement officers who respond to mental health crises can return to their core public safety functions more quickly. Read the press release here.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Dr. Jonathan Haidt Lead Commonwealth Conversation on Youth Mental Health Crisis

On September 19, 2024, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and renowned social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt came together for a "Commonwealth Conversation" at Old Bridge Elementary School in Lake Ridge, Virginia. The discussion, live-streamed to schools across the Commonwealth, addressed the growing youth mental health crisis fueled by excessive social media and smartphone use. Drawing from Dr. Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, they explored topics such as the rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide among adolescents, the impact of addictive content, and the importance of fostering independence and free play for children.

The First Lady emphasized the need for collective action in homes, schools, and communities, advocating for Dr. Haidt’s key recommendations. These include:

📵 Delaying smartphone and social media use

🏫 Promoting phone-free schools

🏞️ Encouraging unstructured play for children

These are principles that align with Governor Youngkin's Executive Order 33, which establishes phone-free education in Virginia’s schools. Together, they underscored the importance of protecting youth mental health and fostering environments where children can thrive. Watch a recording of the full conversation here.

Executive Director Pence Visits Fairfax-Falls Church CSB and Wellness Circle CSU

On Friday, October 11th, Executive Director Pence visited the Fairfax-Falls Church CSB and Wellness Circle CSU to meet with leaders and see the care they are providing to their communities. CSB’s play a critical role in connecting individuals to the care they need, and we are grateful for the partnership in this mission.

Statewide Expansion of It Only Takes One Fentanyl Awareness Initiative

Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin recently announced the statewide expansion of the It Only Takes One initiative during an event at CARITAS in Richmond. This expansion focuses on high-risk communities, raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. The event also introduced the new Fentanyl Families Ambassador Program, empowering impacted families to share their personal stories and advocate for prevention across Virginia.

It Only Takes One, which launched as a pilot program in the City of Roanoke earlier this year, has already shown promising results. In the City of Roanoke, fentanyl awareness increased by 12%, and parents were 55% more likely to discuss the dangers of fentanyl with their children. These early outcomes highlight the potential for the expanded initiative to make a similar positive impact statewide, ensuring that all communities have access to vital resources and information. Read the press release here.

Key Milestones in Behavioral Health Transformation

As part of the ongoing work through Right Help, Right Now, we’re excited to highlight some key initiatives making a real difference in improving behavioral health across Virginia:

Expanding Crisis Call Center Integration

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline has been successfully integrated with 911 services statewide, ensuring that Virginians have someone to call in a crisis. This enhanced coordination between emergency response systems allows for faster referrals and response times, making it easier for people to access the care they need when it matters most.

Expanding Virginia’s Mobile Crisis Teams

In efforts to ensure that people in crisis have someone to respond, the mobile crisis team program has now established 104 crisis teams that provide 24/7 crisis intervention services within one hour.

Empowering Youth Through Prevention: The Deadly Dose Campaign

Through the Deadly Dose campaign, the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth is equipping young people with knowledge about the dangers of illicit substances that are likely to contain fentanyl. With more than 1,000,000 youth and young adults in Virginia already reached, the campaign continues to expand, aiming to educate even more young Virginians and empower them to make safer, more informed choices that protect their health and future.

Join the stakeholder call on October 30, 2024 to hear more!

Medicaid Behavioral Health Services Redesign

Virginia is embarking on a major redesign of its Medicaid Behavioral Health Services to better meet the needs of those in crisis. As part of Right Help, Right Now, the Department of Medical Assistance Services has initiated a two-year project to overhaul legacy services such as Intensive In-Home, Therapeutic Day Treatment, and Mental Health Case Management. This redesign, supported by the 2024-2026 biennium budget, aims to improve care and accessibility for individuals across the Commonwealth, in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Department of Health Professions. Learn more.