We see it on the news quite often, police officers engaged with a mentally challenged person.
“Often times when law enforcement come in contact with the folks we serve, there are really two options – it’s either they’re taking them to the emergency department or they are taking them to jail,” said Eric Doeh, President and CEO at The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network. “As great as they may be for a short time period, they really aren’t providing those on-going care and resources they people need.”
Doeh argues that emergency rooms are not equipped to handle people who are going through a mental health crisis and believes continuous care is needed for patients going through this kind of health challenge.
The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network is committed to the 75,000 children and adults it serves in Detroit and Wayne County. Doeh leads the organization in its mission of providing integrated behavioral health services and supports to the community.
In Fall 2023, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWHIN) is transforming a building in Milwaukee Junction into a Clinical Care Center for adults and adolescents struggling with substance abuse disorders (SUD) and mental health issues.
The redeveloped facility will give the health organization expanded capacity to provide centralized wrap around care support for those struggling with addiction and mental health.
Doeh added that families often deal with the brunt of care support when there is a lack of a system to lean on. Families frequently find themselves with no other recourse but to either take their loved one to the emergency room or the police department.
The $12 million Care Center is funded through Medicaid and will provide Medicaid services along with additional funding for mental health care. The space will provide 40 beds and collaborative services for local adults and adolescents, including Crisis Residential, Crisis Sober Living and Crisis Stabilization.
DWIHN also has a partnership with the Detroit Police Department. It’s collaboration and training with DPD is enhancing officer tools when interacting with mentally challenged citizens.
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