Alarming rates of suicide, opioid overdoses, arrest and incarceration, homelessness, waits in emergency departments to access psychiatric hospitalizations, along with heightened social strains are now intersecting with a depleted workforce amidst the waxing and waning COVID-19 pandemic waves. In this context, policymakers have recognized the need to look beyond psychiatric inpatient beds as a single solution for youth and adults in need of psychiatric care. The discourse among mental health leaders is now centered around immediate access during crises, while moving individuals, including those with serious mental illnesses, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities and other conditions, from crisis response to ongoing and interconnected care. The July 2022 transition of 988 as a three-digit number for behavioral health emergencies is among the new bold strategies for improving crisis response. It has already catalyzed significant changes for state behavioral health systems, including creating new partnerships with 911 and other stakeholders. The Certified Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model for comprehensive services and improved fiscal infrastructure for community mental health systems is expanding with increased funding at the federal level. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been leading the nation on standards and expectations on all these fronts. Yet, to yield an accessible, interconnected, effective, and just behavioral health crisis services continuum that ultimately achieves better mental health outcomes, strategic priorities will be critical. This paper provides an overview of seven key elements to move individuals and systems from Crisis to Care that are needed now.