During the week of June 11, Daniel Herron, Manager of State Policy at Vibrant Emotional Health, attended the 2025 Washington State Behavioral Health Conference in Kennewick, WA. The event, which primarily centered on Washington’s behavioral health landscape, also provided valuable insights into national policy conversations. Notably, it shed light on the crucial role of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) and the broader crisis continuum of care, both of which are instrumental in addressing mental health care.

Daniel attended several workshops focused on crisis response models and system coordination. In the session Honoring Tribal Sovereignty in Behavioral Health, presenters from the Washington American Indian Health Commission and the Health Care Authority highlighted the importance of government-to-government relationships between tribal nations and state or county municipalities. The session not only underscored the importance of such relationships but also provided practical examples of how state and tribal entities can work together to address gaps in behavioral health access and implement culturally responsive crisis services. The success of Washington State’s Native & Strong Lifeline, highlighted as an example of successful collaboration between tribes, the state, and behavioral health providers, is a testament to the potential of such initiatives.

Another session, Statewide Enhancements to Mobile Crisis Response, provided an overview of Washington’s efforts to expand the "someone to respond" component of its crisis system. Speakers outlined the distinctions between mobile crisis teams, co-response units, and rapid response teams, illustrating how each model supports a comprehensive crisis response system. In a separate session, Building Bridges: Partnering a Nurse Practitioner & Certified Peer Counselor, presenters shared real-world examples from a co-response program that integrates clinical and peer-based care in response to 911 calls in a rural county.

Based on this year’s conference, it is evident that Washington State’s significant investments in implementing the 988 Lifeline and expanding the crisis continuum are improving access to care. The conference also served as a reminder of the impact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has on individuals across the state and the urgent need for continued investment nationwide.