State Rep. Carol Glanville (R-MI-84) | HouseDems.com
State Rep. Carol Glanville (R-MI-84) | HouseDems.com
State Rep. Carol Glanville (R-MI-84) said it is unacceptable that Michigan ranks 46th among 50 states plus the District of Columbia for the number of psychiatric beds per 100,000 people.
Her comments come after Great Lakes Wire reported that Michigan ranked 46th among 50 states plus the District of Columbia for the number of psychiatric beds per 100,000 people.
"There is a mental health crisis in our state and country," Glanville told Grand Rapids Reporter. "As increasing numbers of Michiganders struggle with mental health, they also struggle to find adequate care."
"Nearly 40% of Michiganders with a behavioral health condition go untreated and 80% of those with substance abuse disorders also go without treatment," said Glanville. "Our state ranks 46th in the nation in psychiatric beds, which is unacceptable.
Glanville's comments come after Great Lakes Wire reported on a study by the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC), which ranked Michigan 46th in the country for number of psychiatric beds.
The TAC report found that, “in 2023, Michigan had 5 psychiatric beds per 100,000 population,” placing the state among the lowest in the nation for inpatient mental health care capacity.
That number is well below the 40 to 60 beds per 100,000 that TAC said is the “recommended minimum” for states.
"We should take a holistic approach to promoting mental health care," said Glanville. "This includes addressing the shortage of mental health care providers so more people can receive treatment before they need critical care."
"That might look like building the pipeline for health care providers with loan repayment, modifying scope of practice and licensure laws, or increasing reimbursement for health care providers," she said. "We should also increase access through health insurance — many people lack access due to insurance coverage, which shouldn’t stand between a patient and the care they need."
The TAC report said psychiatric bed availability has been consistently declining since the 1950s.
“In 1955, the country had 340 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people. By 2016, that number had fallen to 11.7 per 100,000, leaving many individuals with severe mental illness without adequate inpatient care options,” said the report.
Founded in 1998, the TAC is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., that focuses on mental health policy and research related to serious mental illness.
A report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan found that Michigan has a total of 3,195 inpatient psychiatric beds, including those in state psychiatric hospitals and community hospitals. However, the state’s bed-to-population ratio remains inadequate to meet service needs.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also reported that between 2018 and 2020, Michigan had a total psychiatric bed-to-population ratio of 33.0 per 100,000 when including both state and private facilities. Even with this broader measure, the state still falls short of the minimum recommended capacity, emphasizing the need for increased psychiatric bed availability.
The psychiatric bed shortage has far-reaching consequences, leading to overcrowded emergency rooms, long wait times for inpatient care, and increased burdens on law enforcement and social services.
Glanville said addressing the shortage is "all about the state budget."
"The Michigan House Republican budget passed earlier this month does not fund mental health care or behavioral health programs," said Glanville. "It is essential that we deliver a budget for the people of Michigan that is fair, balanced and on time that funds mental health care and access."
Glanville has represented the 84th District in the Michigan House of Representatives since her election in a May 2022 special election. She was elected in November 2022 to a full term. She previously served on the Walker City Commission
Where does Michigan rank in psychiatric beds per 100,000 people?
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