There is significant momentum among state behavioral health authorities (SBHAs) nationally to develop 
accessible and responsive crisis services that will meet the needs of adults, children, and families when mental health emergencies occur. These important efforts should strengthen the crisis response 
capacity of behavioral health systems, expedite access to care, lower suicide rates, and reduce 
encounters with law enforcement. As states continue to plan and implement strategies that support 
more effective behavioral health crisis response systems, attention must be paid to integrating and 
providing access to other critical services and supports that both reduce crisis risk and support recovery. This paper builds the case for the importance of evidence-based and best practice supportive housing, case management, and employment services as integral components of a behavioral health system that help with crisis prevention, mitigation, and recovery — and offers strategies for supporting their effectiveness in doing so.