CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A report from the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable highlights the need for improvement in Virginia’s 988 mental health crisis response service.

Titled “A Better Response,” the report reveals an 87% response rate to 988 calls in the state.

Bruce Cruser, executive director of Mental Health Virginia, acknowledges the progress made in funding but emphasizes that more efforts are necessary to enhance the system.

Additionally, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration has designated all of Virginia as experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals.