As used in this chapter:

(1) “988” means the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or its successor, maintained under 42 U.S.C. § 290bb-36c.

(2) “Behavioral health condition” includes mental health conditions, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and co-existing conditions.

(3) “Behavioral health crisis” means a situation in which an individual, because of the individual’s actual or perceived behavioral health condition, is at risk of causing or experiencing harm absent the provision of appropriate treatment and services.

(4) “Behavioral health treatment program” means a provider delivering any combination of professional counseling, guidance services, or treatment to an individual with a behavioral health condition.

(5) “Board” means the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Services Board established under § 10211A of this title.

(6) “Certified peer recovery specialist” means an individual with a valid certification as a certified peer recovery specialist issued by the Delaware Certification Board.

(7) “Co-existing conditions” means the coexistence of a co-occurring disorder and a physical health condition.

(8) “Co-occurring disorders” means the coexistence of both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder.

(9) “Division” means the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health of the Department of Health and Social Services.

(10) “Fund” means the Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention Services Fund created under § 10212A of this title.

(11) “Individual in crisis” means an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

(12) “Licensed behavioral health practitioner” means an individual who is at least one of the following:

a. A “psychiatrist,” as defined under § 5001 of this title.

b. An “advanced practice registered nurse” as defined in § 1902 of Title 24 who is certified as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

c. A registered nurse as defined as “the practice of professional nursing” in § 1902 of Title 24 who is certified as a psychiatric-mental health registered nurse by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

d. A “licensed professional counselor” or “licensed associate counselor of mental health” as defined in § 3031 of Title 24.

e. A “baccalaureate social worker,” “licensed social worker,” or “master’s social worker” as defined in § 3902 of Title 24.

f. A psychologist or psychological assistant licensed under Chapter 35 of Title 24.

g. A “licensed chemical dependency professional” as defined in § 3041 of Title 24.

h. A certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor or certified alcohol and drug counselor certified by the Delaware Certification Board.

(13) a. “Mental health condition” means a substantial psychiatric disorder of thought, mood, perception, or orientation.

b. “Mental health condition” includes gambling disorders.

(14) “Mobile crisis team” means a group of trained health professionals, such as licensed behavioral health practitioners and certified peer recovery specialists, that respond on-site to an individual in crisis.

(15) “Public safety answering point” means “911-Emergency Report Center” as defined in § 10002 of this title.

(16) “Substance use disorder” means a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that an individual uses a substance despite significant substance-related problems such as impaired control, social impairment, risky behaviors, pharmacological tolerance, or withdrawal.

84 Del. Laws, c. 168, § 1; 

(a) The Division and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families shall administer the provision of crisis intervention services in this State.

(b) Subject to this chapter, the Division and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families shall establish operational standards, procedures, and protocols to administer the provision of crisis intervention services in this State.

(c) The Division and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families may employ individuals qualified by appropriate ability, education, and experience to administer the provision of crisis intervention services in this State.

84 Del. Laws, c. 168, § 1;