The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) announced a comprehensive plan to increase the network’s mental healthcare capacity. The organization is also seeking that the state of Michigan invest $227 million in crisis care and residential housing.
The DWIHN’s four-point plan for short- and long-term treatment capacity breaks down to:
- Short-term care: a 60-bed crisis care center.
- Long-term care:
- 160-bed in-patient psychiatric care facility.
- Specialized residential housing for 120 people.
- Integrated residential housing for 110 people.
“DWIHN’s plan to rebuild mental health treatment capacity for our most vulnerable residents will fill the gaps in the mental healthcare system that have existed for decades now,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. The mayor was joined by the DWIHN President and CEO Eric Doeh, Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, and state health officials for the announcement.
“Providing this added capacity will save lives by helping to prevent individuals experiencing a mental health crisis from causing harm to themselves or others, or just getting caught up in a criminal justice system that is not equipped to meet their needs. We have the data to demonstrate the need for these additional beds and support DWIHN’s efforts in working with the state to secure the funding needed to support them,” added Mayor Duggan.
People dealing with severe mental illness (SMI) sit on waitlists for in-patient treatment. Law enforcement is often the first to engage with untreated individuals when families become overwhelmed with what to do with their loved ones. As a result, too often emergency departments and jails are the first stops for persons experiencing a behavioral health crisis. There are also news accounts in which people don’t make it to emergency departments or jail because the encounters with local law enforcement become a lethal final encounter for people experiencing a mental-health crisis.
The city currently identified 1,481 people with SMI who are in the “revolving door” of emergency care and the justice system due to insufficient or unavailable treatment options. They accounted for over 21,000 calls for emergency service between 2020 and 2022, attributing to over one-half of all mental health calls for service in Detroit during this time.
DWIHN’s plan is an effort to help those individuals, alleviate the overburdened mental and justice systems and assist families and law enforcement to use a community-based mental health system.
“It’s no secret that I’ve spent more than half of my life in law enforcement. I’ve seen cases where mental health was a factor,” Evans stated. “Since 1992, when Governor John Engler stopped state funding to the Lafayette Clinic, we’ve searched for ways to treat and care for those with severe mental illnesses who find themselves in the criminal justice system. These individuals do not need jails, they need resources, trained professionals and a safe place where they can receive treatment.
“That’s why I’m proud to stand alongside DWIHN on the initiative to expand mental health treatment capacity. This will not only serve the residents of Wayne County, but it’ll expand our ability to truly impact an overwhelmed system.”
Doeh echoed Duggan’s and Evans’ hopes for the plan.
“Creating more opportunities for our region’s most vulnerable persons by including step-down approaches to long-term care, expanded residential services and the ability to offer behavioral health interventions for families are critical, and the time to act is now.”
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about DWIHN’s programs and services, please call 800-241-4949 or visit www.dwihn.org. You can speak to a trained staff member who is available 24/7 to help get you or a loved one connected to behavioral healthcare services.
About Post Author
