Northern Lakes CMH Faces Crisis After FAST Team Dissolution and State Cuts

The Michigan Legislature's recent meeting on July 15, 2025, highlighted critical concerns regarding mental health services in Northern Michigan, particularly following significant state budget cuts. A community mental health professional addressed the committee, detailing the severe impact these cuts have had on local services, including the layoff of nearly 40 staff members from Northern Lakes Community Mental Health.

The speaker emphasized the imminent dissolution of the Family Assessment and Safety Team (FAST), which provided essential emergency mental health evaluations across six counties: Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Wexford, Mesick, Crawford, and Roscommon. The loss of FAST is expected to exacerbate the already strained mental health crisis in the region, forcing families to rely on overcrowded emergency rooms for support during mental health crises.

The testimony pointed out that many children who visit emergency rooms do not meet the criteria for hospitalization, leading to long wait times and inadequate care. The speaker noted that families often face significant barriers, including the financial burden of traveling long distances to psychiatric facilities, which can hinder their involvement in their children's recovery.

The absence of the FAST team will likely lead to increased rehospitalization rates, as families may struggle to provide the necessary support without direct involvement in their children's treatment. The speaker called attention to the inadequacies of local emergency rooms, which are primarily equipped to handle medical crises rather than mental health emergencies.

This meeting underscored the urgent need for improved mental health resources and support systems in Northern Michigan, as the community braces for the fallout from these service cuts. The implications of these changes could have lasting effects on the mental well-being of families in the region, highlighting a growing crisis that demands immediate attention from state officials.