A new regional behavioral health initiative was discussed Sept. 30 as an “Action Summit” in Traverse City.
The initiative grew out of the MiTHRIVE periodic review needs in northern Michigan, in which lack of access was one of the top needs.
The initiative addresses behavioral health needs in a 10-county region, which includes Leelanau County.
The Crisis and Wellness Center in Traverse City will serve clients from northern Michigan 24/7 by providing access to behavioral health services, including outpatient, to short stays, to crisis management, to children and adults regardless of insurance status.
The Center is expected to open in early 2025.
More than 200 people have been working in action teams since initial Michigan Health Endowment Funding in 2021, focused on creating and accessing an improved behavioral health system in the region, and resulting in the Behavioral Health Blueprint for Action (see northernmichiganchir.org/ northwestchir/behavioralphealth-initative-home/. Teams have been working in several areas, from addressing stigma of behavioral health and substance abuse programs, to schools, to recruitment and retention of behavioral health providers.
The initiative has now received new funding from the Michigan Health Endowment and will launch five new efforts:
• “Grow you own” focusing on high school and early college students;
• Enhance internships and early career professional development efforts;
• Therapy core — modeled after a program in Virginia that allows access to service by engaging provides to see one patient per month for free, while serving as training for behavioral health professionals;
• Mentally healthy workplaces involving local businesses; and
• Every child counts – in collaboration with Safer Kids/ Safer Schools.
