Munson healthcare Opens Mental Health Crisis Center in Traverse City
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GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, Mich. — Munson Healthcare has announced the launch of a new Mental Health Crisis and Access Center in Traverse City,designed to provide a safe and welcoming space for individuals experiencing mental health crises. The center held an open house on Tuesday, showcasing its facilities and mission to address a critical need in the community.
The new center aims to bridge the gap in mental health services by offering a dedicated space for those in need, reducing the strain on emergency departments and providing a calming environment for individuals seeking help.
“The gap that was identified was not really having a place to go when someone’s in crisis. So,in our community,that has a lot of strain on our emergency departments,” said Laura Glenn,Munson Healthcare’s Chief Operating Officer. “What we’re trying to create in the center is really a place to go.”
The center is set to open its doors to the public in January,offering a range of services including behavioral health assessments and crisis support. The facility is designed to be a non-clinical, soothing environment, featuring open spaces and views of wooded areas to create a calming atmosphere.
“We designed this to not necessarily feel like a clinical setting,” glenn explained. “We have living room models and really large open spaces with windows really looking out over wooded areas. It really is intended to be a very soothing calming physical location.”
Terri Kelty,Munson Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Director,emphasized the importance of mental health care as a cornerstone of overall health. “Mental health care is a significant part of whole-person health care,” Kelty said. “We’re going to specialize in the mental health care piece of overall health care. So, the staff here is highly trained, trauma informed. The place itself is set up for mental health care.”
The center’s progress was made possible through a $5 million grant from the Michigan Hospital Association and $5 million in ARPA funds from Grand Traverse County. Glenn highlighted the collaborative effort behind the project, stating, “This effort was truly a collaboration with a number of organizations and individuals in the community. I think it really makes it so special and it really is such a special resource for our community.”
Kelty believes that having a dedicated crisis center will make a significant impact on the community. “When you have that really great piece of crisis service in your community, you can really help people avoid needing in-patient psychiatric care,” Kelty said.”You can help them stop maybe a cycle of crisis.”
The center will be free and open to anyone in need, regardless of age or insurance status. “If they’re in a crisis and come here, they’re welcomed,” Kelty said. “Doesn’t matter their age, doesn’t matter their insurance. what matters is that we’re here to help them.”
The center will open in phases, with the initial phase beginning on January 5, operating Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The services will expand to a 24/7 schedule starting July 1, with plans to open a nine-bed adult crisis residential unit in the summer and a six-bed pediatric crisis residential unit in the fall.
Even though the residential units won’t be operational until later in the year, the center will begin offering assessments, services, and referrals starting in January, with no cost to those in need.
This new facility represents a significant step forward in addressing mental health needs in the Traverse City area,offering a compassionate and accessible resource for those in crisis.
Interview: Munson Healthcare’s Mental Health Crisis Center – A Safe Haven for Traverse city
In a critically important step toward addressing mental health needs in Grand traverse county, Munson Healthcare has launched a new mental Health Crisis and Access Center in Traverse City. This facility aims to provide a safe, welcoming space for individuals experiencing mental health crises, reducing the burden on emergency departments and offering a calming environment for those in need. We sat down with Terri Kelty, Munson Healthcare’s Behavioral Health Director, to discuss the center’s mission, services, and the impact it will have on the community.
The Need for a Dedicated Crisis Center
Senior Editor: Terri, thank you for joining us today. The new mental Health Crisis and Access Center is a major development for Traverse City. Can you explain why this center is so urgently needed?
Terri Kelty: Absolutely. The need for a dedicated crisis center has been growing for years. In our community, when someone is in a mental health crisis, they often end up in emergency departments, which are not designed to handle these situations effectively. This puts a lot of strain on our emergency services and doesn’t provide the specialized care that individuals in crisis need. The new center is designed to be a safe, welcoming space where people can come for help without feeling like they’re in a clinical or intimidating environment.
Designing a Calming Environment
senior editor: The center is described as having a non-clinical, calming atmosphere. Can you tell us more about the design and how it supports the mission of the center?
Terri Kelty: Yes, the design is a key part of what makes this center unique. we’ve created a space that feels more like a home than a hospital.There are living room models, large open spaces, and windows that look out over wooded areas. The goal is to create a soothing environment where people feel safe and agreeable. This is especially significant for individuals in crisis, who may already be feeling overwhelmed. The physical space plays a big role in helping them feel supported and cared for.
Services and Accessibility
Senior Editor: What kind of services will the center offer, and how accessible will it be for the community?
Terri Kelty: The center will offer a range of services, including behavioral health assessments, crisis support, and referrals to other resources. We’re committed to making these services accessible to everyone, regardless of age or insurance status. If someone is in a crisis and comes to the center, they will be welcomed and helped. The initial phase will begin on January 5, operating Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and we’ll expand to a 24/7 schedule starting in July. Later in the year, we’ll also open a nine-bed adult crisis residential unit and a six-bed pediatric crisis residential unit.
Collaborative Effort and Funding
Senior Editor: The center’s development was made possible through a significant grant and collaborative effort. Can you tell us more about the partnerships and funding that made this project a reality?
Terri Kelty: This project truly represents the power of collaboration. We received a $5 million grant from the Michigan Hospital Association and $5 million in ARPA funds from Grand Traverse County. these resources allowed us to move forward with the center’s development. But it wasn’t just about the funding—it was also about the partnerships we built with organizations and individuals in the community. Everyone came together with a shared goal of addressing this critical need, and that’s what makes this center so special.
Impact on the Community
Senior Editor: What do you see as the long-term impact of this center on the Traverse City community?
Terri Kelty: I believe this center will make a significant difference in how we address mental health crises in our community.By providing a dedicated space for crisis support, we can definitely help people avoid the need for inpatient psychiatric care. This not only reduces the strain on our emergency departments but also helps individuals break the cycle of crisis. Having a resource like this in our community is a game-changer, and I’m confident it will save lives and improve overall mental health outcomes.
final Thoughts
Senior Editor: Terri, thank you for sharing your insights. Is there anything else you’d like to add about the center or it’s mission?
Terri Kelty: I’d just like to emphasize how important mental health care is as part of whole-person health care. This center is a step toward ensuring that mental health is treated with the same level of importance as physical health. We’re here to help, and we’re excited to see the positive impact this center will have on our community.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Terri. The new Mental Health crisis and Access Center is a remarkable resource for Traverse City, and we look forward to seeing its impact in the months and years to come.
