Bay County mental health services enhance crisis response and patient safety measures

A critical discussion on mental health care access took center stage during the Michigan Legislature's Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security meeting on June 3, 2025. The focus was on the urgent need for improved psychiatric care and the challenges faced by county agencies in providing adequate services.

Chris, a representative from Bay County, highlighted the importance of a centralized dispatch system that connects individuals in need of psychiatric care to available resources. He emphasized that this system functions like a 911 service, ensuring that everyone in the community, regardless of insurance status, can receive the help they need. "We have a public obligation to these patients that private hospitals don’t have," he stated, underscoring the accountability that county agencies hold towards their communities.

Despite an increase in the number of inpatient beds statewide, occupancy rates remain concerningly low, with Bay County reporting an 80% occupancy rate compared to the state average of 65%. Chris attributed this success to strong partnerships with local hospitals, which allow for more efficient pre-screening processes. However, he expressed frustration over the reluctance of private hospitals to accept patients in protective custody, stating, "They don’t want to use their limited beds for protective custody."

The discussion also touched on the moral and ethical responsibilities of mental health care providers. Chris pointed out that while county agencies are held accountable by the public, private hospitals operate in an open market without the same obligations. "If we don’t get these individuals the care they need, it’s the community that suffers," he warned, highlighting the potential dangers of leaving vulnerable individuals without proper support.

As the meeting concluded, the urgency for reform in mental health care access was clear. The committee acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue and action to ensure that all individuals in Michigan can receive the psychiatric care they require, emphasizing that the health and safety of the community depend on it.