Join Dr. Chuck Browning, CEO & President of Behavioral Health Link, and Kristen Ellis, Senior Director of Consulting at Recovery Innovations, as they discuss how crisis systems can effectively support people with substance use disorder when they have the courage to reach out for help.
This conversation moves beyond barriers to focus on opportunity—using the crisis care tools we already have to provide immediate, meaningful interventions for people experiencing substance use crises. Dr. Browning and Kristen explore how 988 call centers, mobile crisis teams, crisis receiving centers, and follow-up programs can meet people where they are, no matter how many times they ask for help.
Learn how recovery-focused, trauma-informed approaches honor each person’s readiness for change. Discover practical strategies for integrating SUD support across the crisis continuum, including training staff to recognize moments of readiness, leveraging technology for coordination, managing medications and withdrawal, and building quality systems that respond effectively every single time someone reaches out.
Whether you’re a state mental health commissioner, crisis system leader, or behavioral health provider, this episode offers actionable insights for maximizing every crisis contact as an opportunity to support recovery.