Mobile Crisis Response in Virginia
Trained clinicians who come to you during a mental health crisis, dispatched through 988.
At a glance
- Intensity
- How it starts
- Call or text 988
- Where
- Home, school, work
- Ages
- Youth and adults
- Follow-up
- Community Stabilization
How mobile crisis response works
When someone is in a mental health or substance use crisis, the emergency room is not always the right place for them. Our mobile crisis team goes to the person instead: at home, at school, at work or wherever they are.
Teams are sent through Virginia’s crisis system. Anyone can start a response by calling or texting 988. The 988 counselor decides whether a mobile team is needed and dispatches the closest available team. Virginia’s standard is for a team to arrive within an hour of dispatch.
Important: If someone has a weapon, is badly injured, or is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Who it's for
- Adults and young people having a mental health or substance use crisis
- Families who are worried about someone’s safety at home
- Schools, employers and community organizations dealing with a person in distress
- People who need help now but are not in immediate physical danger
What the team does on site
- Listens and helps the person calm down
- Checks for safety and risk
- Builds a short safety plan with the person and their family
- Works to keep the person at home when that is safe
- Arranges a higher level of care when it is needed
- Connects the person to follow-up care, often Community Stabilization
How it works
Call or text 988
A trained counselor answers, talks with you, and works out what kind of help is needed.
A team is dispatched
If an in-person visit is the right call, 988 sends a mobile crisis team to your location.
The team meets you
Two trained staff come to you, listen, check safety and help settle the situation.
A plan for the next few days
Before leaving, the team agrees on next steps with you and sets up follow-up care.
Referrals and getting started
Mobile crisis teams in Virginia are dispatched by 988 and the regional crisis hubs, not booked directly. Hospitals, schools, police and other partners should route requests through 988 or their crisis hub contact.
After this program
Most people we see in a crisis move into Community Stabilization for the following days or weeks. That keeps the same agency involved while longer-term care gets set up.
Questions about mobile crisis
Can I call Fresh Nu Beginnings directly for a mobile crisis team?
Mobile crisis responses in Virginia are dispatched through 988. Call or text 988 and the counselor will send the nearest available team. If you are already working with us, call our office during business hours for help with next steps.
Will the police come?
Mobile crisis teams are clinicians, not police. Police are involved only when there is a serious safety risk, such as a weapon or an immediate threat to someone’s life.
Do you see children and teenagers?
Virginia’s mobile crisis system serves both youth and adults. Ask the 988 counselor about the team being sent for a young person.
Does it cost anything?
Calling 988 is free. Mobile crisis services are covered by Virginia Medicaid, and no one is turned away during a crisis because of how they will pay.
Other programs
Partial Hospitalization Program
Full-day structured treatment for substance use and co-occurring mental health needs. Home every night.
Details →Community Stabilization
Short-term support at home and in the community after a crisis or hospital stay.
Details →Mental Health Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient
Individual therapy and a group-based Intensive Outpatient Program for depression, anxiety, trauma and more.
Details →Talk with our intake team
We check your insurance and help you find the right program. Most assessments can be scheduled quickly.