August 20, 2021
Findings and recommendations of an in-depth assessment of mental health crisis services in northern Michigan were presented to the public during a virtual community stakeholder meeting on Friday, August 20.
North Country Community Mental Health Authority and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority contracted for the study, in partnership with Munson Healthcare and McLaren Northern Michigan.
There was a 40-minute presentation and 20 minutes for questions. Travis Atkinson, Director of Clinical and Crisis Services at TBD Solutions, presented the findings and recommendations.
TBD Solutions conducted the assessment from December 2020 through June 2021. The assessment included surveys of 650 citizens and stakeholders in 12 northern Michigan counties. In addition, 50 individuals participated in three focus groups, six stakeholder meetings were held, and over 1,500 data elements were collected and analyzed.
The purpose of the in-depth assessment is to build and deliver a continuum of crisis services for people with mental health and substance use disorders.
Overarching Recommendations:
- Develop and/or expand crisis services to include a crisis stabilization unit, psychiatric urgent care, adult crisis residential, and additional child and adult psychiatric inpatient beds.
- Assure crisis services are available to all payer types.
- Develop a collaborative crisis metrics portfolio to monitor and continuously improve system performance.
- Develop access solutions that minimize reliance on first responders.
Read the full report HERE.