Crisis Care

Life-saving care for
those who need it most

Crisis Care is a first-of-its-kind national telehealth program for treating individuals with elevated suicide risk.

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We accept insurance.iWe cover over 65 million lives. Insurance coverage varies by state, with more states coming soon.

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Introducing Crisis Care

A program built to combat the suicide epidemic

For far too long, individuals with elevated suicide risk have been left behind by our healthcare system. Crisis Care was created to provide this vulnerable population with timely access to specialized care, and help reverse the staggering national statistics on suicide.

Every day in the U.S.

35,000people consider suicide

3,500people attempt suicide

130people die by suicide

WHO IT’S FOR

Care for patients with elevated suicide risk

Crisis Care fills the critical gap between routine services & the emergency room, providing specialized care for individuals experiencing elevated suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Crisis Care can help patients who:

  • Are actively suicidal
  • Have had a recent suicide attempt
  • Need follow-up care after hospitalization

Crisis Care is not for individuals who are at imminent risk of harm and require emergency services.

THE CAMS FRAMEWORK

Specialized care, grounded in 30 years of research.

Crisis Care is built on the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework, a proven program backed by 3 decades of research and 5 randomized controlled trials.

Targeted approach

CAMS utilizes multipurpose tools to identify, target, and treat patient-identified suicidal drivers and triggers.

Quickly reduces risk

The CAMS framework decreases suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors in as few as 6 to 8 sessions.

Widely recognized

CAMS is recognized by the CDC, Joint Commission, Zero Suicide, and the Surgeon General.

OUR APPROACH

The best of Brightside & CAMS, together in one platform.

We’ve fully integrated the CAMS framework into our care model and technology platform, resulting in the most powerful, effective treatment program for our patients.

Appointments within 48 hours

Patients with elevated suicide risk access specialized treatment quickly and begin a structured, time-limited program that lasts between 4-12 weeks.

High touch, collaborative care

Crisis Care requires the patient to be actively involved in their treatment—from video sessions & messaging, to the documentation of suicide-focused treatment & safety plans.

Enhanced safety and quality

Patients are matched with a dedicated CAMS-trained clinician, who is supported by clinical leaders who are experts in suicide intervention and prevention.

Care navigation support

Crisis Care provides escalation pathways to follow-up treatment when a patient requires a higher level of care, as well as step-down pathways once the patient is no longer at risk.

Precision treatment with medication

If clinically appropriate for a patient’s treatment, our psychiatric providers leverage our PrecisionRx tool to pinpoint the most tolerable & effective medication/dose combination.

how it works

High-touch care, built for connection.

Patients and their dedicated Crisis Care clinicians are partners in getting better, with active collaboration powered by technology at every step.

Brightside app screenshot
Brightside app screenshot
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Brightside app screenshot

1:1 Video Sessions

Let your provider know how you’re feeling, get to know you, and provide 1:1 support.

Brightside app screenshot

1:1 Video Sessions

Let your provider know how you’re feeling, get to know you, and provide 1:1 support.

Brightside app screenshot

1:1 Video Sessions

Let your provider know how you’re feeling, get to know you, and provide 1:1 support.

Brightside app screenshot

1:1 Video Sessions

Let your provider know how you’re feeling, get to know you, and provide 1:1 support.

Brightside app screenshot

1:1 Video Sessions

Let your provider know how you’re feeling, get to know you, and provide 1:1 support.

brightside provider map

OUR PREMIUM CLINICIAN NETWORK

Trained in CAMS, backed by powerful technology.

  • Our highly-vetted Crisis Care clinicians complete specialized training in the CAMS framework.
  • Clinicians utilize our CAMS-enabled platform to facilitate sessions, and use our SmartEMR with streamlined documentation to monitor risk.
  • Clinicians have oversight and consultation with clinical leaders who are experts in suicide prevention and intervention.
brightside provider map

Crisis Care saves lives. Together, we can save even more.

contact us or refer a patient

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Understanding the Crisis Care program

If your question isn’t answered below, contact us for more information.

Crisis Care is specifically designed for individuals with elevated suicide risk, including those who are actively suicidal and/or have had a recent suicide attempt, and those in need of follow-up care after hospitalization. This program delivers medically necessary care to patients who are often excluded from outpatient treatment (both in-person or telehealth) because of elevated risk.
Crisis Care is not designed for individuals who require emergency services and/or psychiatric facility admission, nor those with primary substance use disorder, psychotic disorders, and severe personality disorders.
New patients with participating insurance who meet the eligibility requirements can enroll directly upon completing our free intake assessment. New patients can also be referred by their healthcare provider. Existing Brightside patients who receive routine services can be directly enrolled in the program by their Brightside clinician, if they develop elevated suicide risk.
While it can take weeks to get an in-person appointment, patients can see a Crisis Care clinician in 48 hours or less.
Patients will be assigned to a CAMS-trained clinician within Brightside Health’s network who will conduct a thorough 60-minute intake evaluation to understand the patient’s level of suicidal ideation, history of suicidality, risk, and protective factors. If the clinician indicates the patient is appropriate for Crisis Care, intervention will begin immediately.
Brightside developed Crisis Care using the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework to identify and address suicidal behavior and suicide drivers. The CAMS approach is highly collaborative between patient and clinician, and employs a series of versatile tools, including the Suicide Status Form (SSF), which provides means for:
  • Initial assessment and documentation
  • Development and documentation of a suicide-specific treatment plan and safety plan (CAMS Stabilization Plan)
  • Tracking and documentation of ongoing suicidal risk and updates to the treatment plan
  • Documentation of clinical impressions and outcomes
We fully integrated CAMS into our virtual care model and enhanced it with technology. We facilitate every aspect of the program in live 1:1 Video Sessions, and supplement it with ongoing engagement tools like Anytime Messaging and Proactive Progress Tracking. Our SmartEMR also offers streamlined CAMS documentation for clinicians so they access advanced tracking to monitor suicide risk and treatment progress.
If the patient is not eligible for Crisis Care, we provide them with resources so they can get the appropriate care for their needs.
Patients enrolled in Crisis Care will have weekly—or more frequent—live 1:1 Video Sessions with their dedicated CAMS-trained clinician, Anytime Messaging between sessions, and Proactive Progress Tracking to view their progress over time.
Everything we do at Brightside Health is backed by evidence, and Crisis Care is no exception. We looked for the gold standard approach with proven results and found it in CAMS—one of a handful of evidence-based treatments recognized by the CDC, Joint Commission, Zero Suicide, and the Surgeon General. Based on 30 years of ongoing clinical research and five randomized controlled trials, CAMS has been proven to decrease suicide attempts and self-harm behaviors, and reduce suicidal ideation, in as few as 6 to 8 sessions.
Patients can actively participate in the Crisis Care program for up to 12 weeks, with a minimum requirement of 4 weeks. Once a clinician determines it is safe to do so, a patient can transition to routine services for ongoing management of symptoms. Patients who successfully achieve treatment goals in the Crisis Care program, and are appropriate for continuation of services via telehealth, are offered mental health treatment through Brightside’s Clinically-Proven Therapy and/or Personalized Psychiatry programs.
Brightside Health has a premium network of clinicians in all 50 states, many of whom have experience managing suicidality and/or have worked in high acuity settings. Every Crisis Care clinician has undergone rigorous vetting and received CAMS training. They also are supported with weekly consultation meetings, supervision, and one-on-one meetings with clinical leaders who are experts in suicide intervention and prevention.
Similar to Brightside Health’s care model for other mental health concerns, a combination of therapy and medication is available if a clinician determines it is appropriate and in the best interest of the patient.
Currently, Crisis Care is available to individuals with insurance. Brightside Health currently accepts a variety of insurance plans that together cover 60 million lives and counting. We offer coverage with Cigna/Evernorth, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare/Optum; are in-network with Anthem of CA; and are in various stages of contracting with over 20 additional plans.
Crisis Care is currently available in limited states, with a complete national rollout coming soon.
741-741

If you’re in emotional distress, text HOME to connect with a counselor immediately.

988

Call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for 24/7 emotional support.

911

If you’re having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER.