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Right Help, Right Now

A Transformational Behavioral Health Plan for Virginians

Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Right Help, Right Now plan ensures Virginians get immediate behavioral health support before, during, and after a crisis. By expanding 988, mobile crisis units, and crisis centers, it improves care for children, adults, and families, reduces emergency department strain, and supports law enforcement. The plan also strengthens substance use disorder treatment and mental health services, positioning Virginia as a leader in behavioral health reform.

Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Right Help, Right Now Behavioral Health Plan

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Suzanne S. Youngkin unveil Right Help, Right Now, the transformational behavioral health plan for Virginians, on December 14, 2022.

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The Six Pillars of Behavioral Health Transformation

Right Help, Right Now is guided by six key pillars focused on crisis response, law enforcement support, community services, substance use prevention, workforce development, and service innovation.

Pillar One

Ensure same-day care for behavioral health crises

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  • Expand 988 hotline and mobile crisis teams.
  • Implement the CrisisNow model for better crisis care.
  • Build more crisis stabilization units.

Pillar Two

Reduce law enforcement burden and behavioral health criminalization

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  • Streamline temporary detention order (TDO) discharge.
  • Allow physicians to discharge TDOs when appropriate.
  • Fund in-hospital monitoring alternatives.

Pillar Three

Expand system capacity, emphasizing community-based services

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  • Increase community-based care before, during, and after crises.
  • Expand telebehavioral health services.
  • Strengthen school-based mental health programs.

Pillar Four

Strengthen support for substance use disorders and overdose prevention

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  • Expand mobile treatment units for substance use.
  • Invest in fentanyl overdose prevention.
  • Reduce barriers to recovery and re-entry.

Pillar Five

Prioritize the behavioral health workforce, especially in underserved areas

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  • Expand recruitment and training efforts.
  • Increase pay and support for providers.
  • Fund education for mental health professionals.

Pillar Six

Innovate services and close gaps in prevention, crisis care, and recovery

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  • Simplify administrative processes.
  • Improve provider network alignment.
  • Develop outcome-based Medicaid payments.

Learn More: Resources and Updates

Stay Informed on Virginia’s Right Help, Right Now Behavioral Health Transformation

Download plans, reports, and handouts, review recent milestones, and explore past newsletters tracking progress.

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