Michigan boosts bed capacity in ‘horribly underserved’ mental health system

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Elizabeth Hertel, the state’s health department director, are touting the ‘increased capacity’ of Michigan’s mental health care services
A new pediatric center for behavioral health is opening in Grand Rapids later this month, while southeast Michigan is getting new psychiatric hospital, adding beds for adults and minors
Providers, patients, families and advocates say Michigan’s behavioral health care system is underserved, but critical reporting from state lawmakers is still missing

Families, patients, providers and lawmakers have increasingly called attention to the state’s “lack of service” for thousands of residents in need of mental health crisis care.

But signs of improvement are slowly emerging.

Recently announced projects would add more than 200 new long-term and short-term care beds to Michigan, a move that state officials hope will address some of the longstanding gaps in psychiatric care.

Some of the latest developments include:

Henry Ford Health’s conversion of a facility in Madison Heights to a mental health hospital.
University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Hospital’s plan to expand mental health services to children and adolescents in Lansing.
A Grand Rapids site that will introduce the state’s first pediatric urgent care for behavioral health.
A state-run hospital to expand long-term psychiatric care capacity in southeast Michigan.

State lawmakers determined last year that Michigan’s behavioral health care landscape is “horribly underserved” after speaking with several mental health care providers, impacted families and law enforcement personnel.

A subcommittee that promised to summarize those findings and outline its recommendations has yet to release a report, months after the hearings, with leadership saying a draft needs further review.

Still, state leaders are moving forward with plans to expand bed capacity.

Related:

Gov. Whitmer addresses a group inside a tent-like facility. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the grand opening of the Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health operated by Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids (Courtesy of Pine Rest)

On Wednesday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids to welcome the organization’s new Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health, a facility that brings 66 inpatient beds and the state’s first pediatric psychiatric urgent care center. Admissions are set to start later this month.

The state provided $50 million for the center, which also includes specialized assessment and treatment for eating and neurodevelopmental disorders, as the governor highlights the need to improve behavioral health care for children and adolescents.

“I’m committed to expanding access to quality, affordable health care across Michigan,” said Whitmer in a statement. “Let’s keep having their backs and working together to build a bright future for Michigan.”

aerial view of a building complex on snow-covered ground — The $383 million Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital is set to open in Northville Township later this year (Courtesy of The Christman Co.)

Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services this week toured the forthcoming Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital, a $383 million state-funded project in Northville Township meant to replace Hawthorn Center and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital. Despite the closures, the long-term psychiatric hospital will bring an additional 54 beds to serve adults and youth in mental health crises and is slated to open in October.

“The increased capacity of this modern facility expands access to quality, compassionate care for more children and adults,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel in a statement. “It is part of our continued efforts to ensure access to behavioral health care for Michigan families when they need it, where they need it and at the level of care they need.”

‘Parents have to get scrappy’

Two state officials in hard hats and safety vests chat — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel and State Budget Director Jen Flood tour the soon to be completed Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital. (Courtesy of MDHHS)

Those who have dealt with Michigan’s mental health system say it needs a bigger fix than a “band-aid” – it needs a comprehensive review and reorganization.

“Nobody’s getting it right anywhere in the state,” said Rachel Cuschieri-Murray, a mental health advocate who helps parents navigate care for their children. “Parents have to get scrappy.”

Currently, Michigan operates four inpatient state-run hospitals, including Walter Reuther, Caro Psychiatric Hospital, Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and the Center for Forensic Psychiatry. The facilities serve some 600 patients, including adults, youth and criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial or acquitted by not guilty by reason of insanity.

The state also recently unveiled a new digital platform to help people navigate placement for residential treatment in the juvenile justice system, where many youth have underlying mental health disorders.

In addition to state-run hospitals, MDHHS reports 2,499 licensed psychiatric beds for adults statewide with another 316 licensed for minors.

While state data indicates an overall surplus in bed availability, many practitioners say the reporting belies a darker reality: Staff shortages have rendered much of the recorded bed capacity unusable, while patients with complex mental health needs are unable to use many of the available sites due to lack of specialization and short-term lengths of stay. The reduced capacity has pushed patients toward emergency departments and interactions with law enforcement and the justice system.

“Behavioral health challenges among children and teens have increased dramatically in recent years, and families across Michigan are struggling to find timely access to care,” said Mark Eastburg, president and CEO of Pine Rest, in a statement. He said the pediatric center in Grand Rapids is a “significant step forward in addressing that need.”

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