Skip to Main Content

One of our vendors, Insightin Health, experienced a cybersecurity issue in September 2025. To learn more, view their notice.

A vendor of Express Scripts, Berkeley Research Group, experienced a cybersecurity issue in February 2025. To learn more, view their notice. 

Crisis Response System Graphic showing crisis hot line mobile van communitity brief and crisis stabilazation

Louisiana Crisis Response System

In order to provide individuals experiencing a mental health crisis—and their families—with treatment and support that is compassionate, effective, and resolution-focused, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) developed a statewide crisis system of care.

Launched in April 2022 through the Louisiana Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), the Louisiana Crisis Response System offers expanded services to Louisiana Medicaid members who are 21 years of age and older and experiencing a mental health crisis. The new system seeks to reduce the number of ER visits for adult Medicaid members presenting with a primary behavioral health reason as well as mitigate law enforcement intervention.

The Louisiana Crisis Response System offers a spectrum of services designed to meet adult Medicaid members where they are in their communities, providing stabilization and connections to resources that will help them on their path to recovery.

The Louisiana Crisis Response System is comprised of four essential services:

icon: transport

1. Mobile Crisis Response (MCR)

An initial intervention for individuals in a self-identified crisis that deploys teams to the individual’s location in the community.

icon: crisis support

2. Community Brief Crisis Support (CBCS)

Ongoing crisis intervention for up to 15 days designed to provide community-based stabilization and support following an initial MCR intervention or Behavioral Health Crisis Care. This ongoing care includes de-escalating behavioral health needs, treatment referrals, and care coordination with local providers.

icon: behavioral health

3. Behavioral Health Crisis Care (BHCC)

Facility-based services that operate 24/7 as a walk-in center and deliver short-term behavioral health crisis support following an initial MCR intervention.

icon: bed

4. Crisis Stabilization

Short-term, bed-based crisis treatment and support for individuals at risk of hospitalization or institutionalization and/or who have received MCR, CBCS, or BHCC.

Services are available for Medicaid recipients who are:

  • 21 years and older
  • A member of a Healthy Louisiana Plan, such as Louisiana Healthcare Connections
  • Experiencing acute emotional distress and would benefit from crisis response
  • Not already on a legal commitment and are able to voluntarily participate in services

 

icon: communication

Remember: The goal is to keep patients out of the ER and avoid calling law enforcement.

Please remind your patients who are our members to call the Louisiana Crisis Hub at 1-844-677-7553 if they are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Select your LDH region below to view the current Crisis Resources in your area:

  • Region 1 (PDF): Parishes of Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard
  • Region 2 (PDF): Parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana
  • Region 3 (PDF): Parishes of Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary and Terrebonne
  • Region 4 (PDF): Parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin and Vermillion.
  • Region 9 (PDF): Parishes of Livingston, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington
  • Region 10 (PDF): Jefferson Parish

Services for Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8 (PDF) are currently in development. But please still encourage members in these areas to call our crisis hotline FIRST during a mental health crisis.

Important: These services are voluntary. Patients will NOT be admitted involuntarily. Reassure them that this is the best way for them to receive timely, free and in-person help regardless of where they are and to avoid a long wait at the ER.

Learn more about the Louisiana Crisis Response System.

Want a deeper dive on this topic? Read “Appropriate Response, Care, & Support Replaces Inadequate Aid, Force, & Restraint: A New, Comprehensive Criss System of Care in Louisiana for Medicaid Recipients” by Lisa Weber-Curry, DPC, LPC-S, MA, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Louisiana Healthcare Connections.

Additional Resources