New Mental Health Crisis Center Opens Doors to Traverse City Residents
Traverse City residents struggling with mental health crises will soon have a dedicated resource available to them. A new Mental Health Crisis and Access Center, a joint effort spearheaded by Munson Healthcare, is set to open its doors in January, offering a safe and welcoming haven for those in need.
Filling a Critical Gap in Mental Health Services
“The gap that was identified was not really having a place to go when someone’s in crisis,” said Laura Glenn, Chief Operating Officer of Munson Healthcare. “Here in Traverse City, that gap has strained our emergency departments. What we’re trying to create in this center is truly a place to go.”
The center reflects a growing awareness of the critical need for accessible mental health services. Terri Kelty, Munson Healthcare Behavioral Health Director, emphasizes the significance of the center. “Mental health care is a significant part of whole-person health care,” Kelty said. “We’re going to specialize in that piece of overall health care. Our team here is highly trained and trauma-informed. The entire center itself is set up for mental health care.”
A Welcoming Haven
Designed with a focus on creating a calming and supportive environment, the center will offer a stark contrast to the often sterile and intimidating atmosphere of a traditional clinical setting. “We wanted it to feel less like a clinical setting,” Glenn explained.
“We have living room models and really large open spaces with windows looking out over wooded areas. It’s truly intended to be a very soothing and calming physical location.”
A Phased Opening, Expanding Services
The center will welcome its first patients on January 5th, operating Sunday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., offering behavioral health assessments and crisis services. This initial phase will be followed by a significant expansion of services on July 1st,
when the center will transition to a 24/7 operating schedule.
Further expanding its reach, the center plans to open a nine-bed adult crisis residential unit in the summer. This will be followed by a six-bed pediatric crisis residential unit in the fall, offering a more comprehensive suite of services to meet the diverse needs of the community.
Community Collaboration and Support
The center’s success is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Traverse City community.
Munson Healthcare received $10 million in funding to make the center a reality—$5 million in ARPA funds from Grand Traverse County and a generous $5 million grant from the Michigan Hospital Association.
“This effort was truly a collaboration with a number of organizations and individuals in the community,” Glenn noted. “It really makes it so special, and I think it really is such a special resource for our community.”
Making a Difference in People’s Lives
“When you have that really great piece of crisis service in your community,” Kelty said, “you can really help people avoid needing in-patient psychiatric care. You can help them stop maybe a cycle of crisis.”
Today, Munson Healthcare’s commitment to providing accessible and compassionate mental health care is becoming a reality. “The Mental Health Crisis and Access Center is welcoming and free for anyone who needs it,” Kelty emphasized. “If they’re in a crisis and come here, they’re welcomed—doesn’t matter their age, doesn’t matter their insurance. What matters is that we’re here to help them.”
