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District Health Department #10 warns of mental‑health provider shortage as adolescent visits rise
Summary
District Health Department #10 officials told county committees that adolescent behavioral-health visits are rising and Oceana County’s mental‑health‑provider ratio is about 1:2,680 — far below the Michigan average — while funding cuts may force staffing adjustments.
District Health Department #10 officials presented their annual report and MiTHRIVE community-health findings on April 10, telling county commissioners that demand for mental-health services is high and access remains constrained.
Kevin Hughes, MA, Health Officer, said the department completed state accreditation in 2024 and continues to monitor communicable diseases and community health needs. He said staff make up roughly 90% of DHD #10’s costs and that officials have been notified of funding cuts that will require adjustments.
Chelsea Rossow, epidemiologist, reviewed MiTHRIVE data and said Oceana County prioritized Mental Health, Access to Care and Obesity. Rossow reported that Oceana County’s ratio of mental-health providers to residents is approximately 1 to 2,680, compared with a statewide average of about 1 to 320, noting that such a ratio places a high burden on local providers. Commissioners questioned survey sample sizes and geographic coverage; Rossow acknowledged lower response rates in northern counties and said the department used multiple data sources to form its assessment.
Hughes also reported harm-reduction access measures: a naloxone vending machine placed outside the DHD #10 office dispensed 545 containers from installation through March 2025.
Commissioners discussed potential duplication of services across the adolescent health centers, West Michigan CMH System and other providers. Hughes said the adolescent health centers can treat mild-to-moderate behavioral-health concerns and refer severe cases to the regional CMH system; commissioners and staff emphasized the need to preserve core mandated public-health services if funding is reduced.
DHD #10 staff noted the number of adolescent health visits reported in schools: 248 medical visits and 360 mental‑health visits at Shelby High School’s Adolescent Health Center, 371 behavioral‑health visits at Hart Public Schools’ Wellness Center and 222 behavioral‑health visits at Pentwater High School’s Wellness Center.
The committee asked DHD #10 to continue refining data collection and to clarify implications of funding reductions for service levels.
