---
title: National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care
description: "The *National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care* offers best practices to address gaps in crisis services , emphasizing home- and community-based crisis response, family engagement, and culturally appropriate services. SAMHSA encourages youth crisis systems to: -…"
url: "https://bridges4mentalhealth.org/hub/crisis-response-and-suicide-prevention/national-guidelines-for-child-and-youth-behavioral-health-crisis-care/"
updated: "2026-10-09"
category: Crisis Response and Suicide Prevention
tags:
  - Audience
  - Mental health professionals
  - TA sites
---

# National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care

The *National Guidelines for Child and Youth Behavioral Health Crisis Care* offers best practices to address gaps in crisis services , emphasizing home- and community-based crisis response, family engagement, and culturally appropriate services. SAMHSA encourages youth crisis systems to:

- Prioritize keeping youth in their homes and communities.
- Provide developmentally appropriate care that recognizes youth-specific needs.
- Incorporate family and youth peer support in service planning and delivery.
- Ensure crisis response services are equitable, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed.

These principles align with the *National Guidelines for Behavioral Health Crisis Care – Best Practice Toolkit*, reinforcing a recovery-focused, trauma-informed approach to crisis intervention.

[Read More](https://988crisissystemshelp.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/2025-04/national-guidelines-crisis-care-pep24-01-037.pdf)

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