TRAVERSE CITY – State Rep. John Roth announced this week that a large amount of money is being poured into northern Michigan to build mental health care facilities in Grand Traverse County and Gaylord.
Roth shared the news at a county board meeting this week, saying Michigan has $ 6.4 billion in American Rescue Plan funds in its coffers ready to be spent on investments that will provide long-term benefits to its residents will bring.
A mental health facility fits into the bill, said Roth.
“We understand that it is a huge problem and it has been neglected,” said Roth on Friday. “That’s what money is for.”
Roth said the amount has not yet been determined and it is unknown how many beds the Grand Traverse facility will have. He said it probably won’t be as big as a regional facility coming to Gaylord, which is centrally located in northern lower Michigan.
“It will happen,” said Roth. “We will make sure that we are well looked after in Grand Traverse County and that a lot of money comes in.”
Commissioner Penny Morris, who is also a member of the Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Department, said it was good news but she wanted more details.
“Our constituents have made it clear to us that access to affordable mental health care is very important to them,” said Morris. “We have to focus on the needs of our constituents, especially after last year.”
Mental health is an issue that is very close to her heart, said Morris, whose husband came home from Iraq with post-traumatic stress disorder. Four months later, her 17-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident by a man with severe anger problems, she said.
“He should never have been behind the wheel of a car,” said Morris. “Had he got the help he needed, we would all tell a different story today.”
The inpatient facility would accommodate young people who need both crisis and housing care in the area, Roth said.
He told commissioners that lawmakers are in talks with Munson Medical Center and other groups, including local mental health authorities in the area. He and other lawmakers plan to meet with State Rep. Mary Whiteford, Chair of the Subcommittee on Funds for Health and Human Services, in September.
“There is money coming our way, no doubt about it,” said Roth.
Mental health crises in Michigan skyrocketed during the pandemic and hit young people particularly hard, Roth said.
“Adults can get some care, not great, but some,” said Roth. “But there is very little of everything for the youth.”
Michigan has 323 psychiatric beds for children and adolescents, including 55 in the Hawthorne Center near Detroit, the only state facility for children.
Gaylord is about 60 miles from Traverse City; the closest children’s facility is in Grand Rapids, 150 miles away.
Morris said she has heard all sorts of harrowing stories since serving on the Northern Lakes board.
“We have to do better,” she said.
Commissioner Betsy Coffia said mental health care needs to be affordable and accessible, which she believes should be kept in mind by Roth and others.
“People can’t always afford to access the services even when they’re here,” said Coffia.
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