Munson Healthcare, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, and a group of community partners from across Grand Traverse County applauded Grand Traverse County’s Board of Commissioners for granting a $5 million request for funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to begin development of the Grand Traverse Center for Mental Wellness.
“We are grateful to the Board of Commissioners for their investment in the future for mental health services in northern Michigan,” said Munson Healthcare Chief Operating Officer Laura Glenn. “This funding approval will allow us to move forward with our first phase of expanding mental and behavioral health services for children, youth and adults in our region.”
Munson Healthcare in collaboration with representatives from Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, Northern Michigan Regional Entity, Northwest Michigan Community Health Innovation Region (CHIR), Grand Traverse County and United Way of Northwest Michigan have been at work on the next phase of a plan to bring mental health, substance abuse disorder and crisis services to one location in Traverse City.
Phase One of the three-phase project calls for a mental health wellness facility to be located on the Munson Medical Center Campus in a current Behavioral Health building. The center will bring existing access and crisis services under one roof, 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, and provide a coordinated, systemic response for children, youth, and adults regardless of insurance or ability to pay. Services would be added or expanded in additional phases as the center is developed, staff are hired, and resources are secured.
The community partners have highlighted an uptick in suicidal and mental health-related emergency room visits or 911 calls since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a great day, and we appreciate the commissioner’s support,” said Brian Martinus, Interim CEO of Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority. “Now we can start the steps to make the planning process of the past few months a reality.”
The goal is to launch Phase One services by the end of 2024.
“We are thankful and excited for the future,” said Seth Johnson, Co-Chair of the Community Advisory Group and CEO/President of United Way of Northwest Michigan. “The county board’s vote means there is hope for patients and families who have struggled with the lack of access to mental health care in the region.”