Virginia Celebrates Three Years of Mental Health Transformation Under ‘Right Help, Right Now’

Governor Glenn Youngkin this week marked the third anniversary of Right Help, Right Now, a bold initiative to rebuild Virginia’s behavioral health system from the ground up. Since launching in December 2022, the initiative has guided a sweeping $1.4 billion transformation that state leaders say is not only saving lives but also delivering faster access to care, reducing overdose deaths, and bringing lasting change to communities across the Commonwealth.

Governor Glenn Youngkin delivers remarks at Right Help, Right Now three-year celebration on December 11, 2025. Official Photo by Kaitlyn DeHarde, Office of Governor Glenn Youngkin.

“When a Virginian is in crisis, every second matters,” said Hallie Pence, Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now. “We’ve worked to make sure help is available, no matter the hour, and that people are treated with dignity and compassion in their own communities.”

Three years ago, Virginia’s mental health and substance use systems were in distress. Many families waited months or even years for services. Law enforcement officers were often the only first responders during psychiatric emergencies. And resources like crisis care beds and mobile teams were stretched far too thin.

Today, leaders say the Commonwealth’s approach has become a national model, built around six core pillars of reform that put individuals and families first.

The first pillar, Same Day Crisis Care, has expanded access to emergency mental health services like never before. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which launched nationally in 2022, now sees over 30,000 calls, texts, and chats per month from Virginians. That’s a six-fold increase since early 2023. Mobile crisis teams have grown from 36 to 110, responding 24/7 across all regions. Integrated systems between 911 and 988 ensure that trained mental health professionals are often dispatched instead of police. And Virginia has nearly doubled its crisis care beds and chairs, with even more capacity in development to meet growing demand.

The second pillar, Supporting Law Enforcement and Reducing Criminalization, has changed how police and mental health systems work together. Co-response teams—where clinicians respond alongside officers when someone is in crisis—have expanded from 10 to 17 communities, with more planned. Alternative custody and transportation programs have saved police departments nearly 2 million travel miles, freeing up officers to focus on public safety while behavioral health experts provide care in non-criminal situations. Officials say this model is leading to better outcomes, reducing unnecessary arrests, and getting people the help they need faster.

The third pillar, Community-Based Capacity, is helping Virginians get care where they live, work, and go to school. Assertive Community Treatment teams, which support people with the most serious mental illnesses, have expanded to 64 across the state. Behavioral health services in public schools now reach over 20,000 students across 23 school divisions—up from just six districts three years ago. Virginia has also increased access to developmental disability waivers, giving more than 4,500 additional families access to crucial services and supports. New initiatives also ensure faster psychiatric care for children through their pediatricians and improve hospital discharge planning so patients can safely return home.

The fourth pillar, Reducing Overdoses and Expanding Recovery, reflects Virginia’s aggressive fight against the opioid epidemic, especially the rise in fentanyl-related deaths. Since January 2022, fatal fentanyl overdoses have dropped by 59% statewide. Among Virginians under 25, deaths have fallen by over 56% since 2021. This progress is tied to expanded naloxone distribution—430,000 doses have been given out—and the training of nearly 100,000 residents to respond to overdoses through the REVIVE! program. Youth education campaigns have reached millions, while a statewide data platform launched in October now helps leaders track and respond to substance use trends in real time.

The fifth pillar, Strengthening the Behavioral Health Workforce, is aimed at one of the biggest challenges in mental health care: not enough qualified professionals. Virginia has cut regulatory red tape by 25% to speed up hiring. High school students and early-career workers are being connected to behavioral health jobs through new training pathways and the state’s Be the Change career portal. To keep professionals in the field, Virginia has expanded loan repayment programs and created new licensure pathways, especially targeting underserved areas with the greatest needs.

The sixth and final pillar, Innovation, Medicaid Modernization, and Outcomes, focuses on long-term improvements to how care is delivered and funded. For the first time, commercial insurers in Virginia are now required to cover crisis stabilization services, making care more accessible and reducing pressure on public systems. Medicaid has been updated to better support children and families with behavioral health needs, and new quality standards have been rolled out to improve service delivery across community programs. Behind the scenes, innovation grants and tech upgrades have improved data sharing and care coordination between providers and state agencies.

Governor Youngkin praised the multi-agency, bipartisan effort that made the changes possible, crediting both state lawmakers and community partners for supporting the initiative.

“From Day One, we set out to rebuild a behavioral health system that truly puts people first,” he said. “Today, Virginians have faster access to care, more support in moments of crisis, and new hope for recovery and stability.”

The initiative’s progress was on full display during an anniversary event at the Library of Virginia, where 36 exhibits showcased the system’s evolution—along with stories from families, first responders, and patients who have experienced the change firsthand.

First Lady Suzanne Youngkin also spoke at the event, highlighting the role of prevention and youth outreach through efforts like the It Only Takes One fentanyl awareness campaign. “We are breaking the stigma that keeps people silent,” she said. “Every life has value, and every person deserves the chance to heal and thrive.”

Chief of Staff John Littel called the work “a legacy for future generations,” and urged Virginians to continue building on the momentum. “We rebuilt this system piece by piece,” he said. “But the work must continue.”

Governor Youngkin echoed that call to action in his closing remarks.

“This work is not finished,” he said. “Every Virginian deserves hope. Every Virginian deserves help. And in Virginia, they will receive it.”