LANSING, Mich. (WPBN/WGTU)— Several northern Michigan advocates voiced concerns during a state House subcommittee meeting about the urgent need for more in-patient care for those affected by severe mental illness in the area.
A study by the Treatment Advocacy Center in 2024 indicated that any community requires 30 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people to maintain community health.
However, the same study revealed that Michigan only has 19.4 beds per 100,000 people.
During the meeting, Sara Bush from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office testified about the challenges posed by the shortage of beds.
“The bed placement is really where we’re struggling. Currently right now, I have two people who are in Munson with two officers who are sitting with them for the last week because we can’t find a bed placement,” said Bush.
Bush added that the sheriff’s office has had to provide an officer to sit with individuals until a bed becomes available, resulting in more than 197 hours of overtime pay since January.
In response to the crisis, Munson’s Mental Health Crisis and Access Center in Grand Traverse County will begin offering 24-hour care starting July 7.