Michigan hospitals are working alongside community partners to remove barriers and ensure residents across the state have access to timely, lifesaving behavioral healthcare services
Located on the Munson Medical Center campus, the Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center is transforming care delivery across Northern Michigan by providing around-the-clock support, treatment and care for individuals experiencing mental health crises
Munson Healthcare and Northern Lakes Community Mental Health work in collaboration to offer crisis intervention, psychiatric urgent care, mobile response and connections to ongoing treatment. In addition to helping reduce reliance on emergency departments, this effort helps improve coordination across the behavioral health continuum
“Improving access to behavioral healthcare services is essential across rural communities,” said Terri Lacroix-Kelty, Munson Healthcare Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services. “We’re proud to be working alongside our partners to provide this critical piece in our community’s mental health continuum of care to ensure people of all ages have access to the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
Developed through broad community collaboration, the program has already served individuals from across multiple counties, with most crises resolved on-site without requiring hospitalization. The initiative fostered a partnership between Munson Healthcare, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, Grand Traverse County, United Way of Northwest Michigan and the Northwest Community Health Innovation Region. It also represents a scalable model for integrated crisis care and improved access to behavioral health services.
The Munson team received a 2026 Ludwig Community Benefit Award for this work, presented annually to MHA members working collaboratively to improve the health and well-being of Michigan residents
To learn about other stories of innovation advancing care across Michigan, visit www.mihospitals.org. To read more positive hospital stories, check out more Hospitals Help webpage. Members with questions may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA
