Investing in Mental Health

State of Michigan – February 23, 2022

Dear Friend,

Mental health is just as important as physical health. That’s why my administration has increased access to physical, behavioral, and children’s health services, funded fourteen community behavioral health clinics, and given direct care workers a raise. These are noteworthy accomplishments – but there is still a lot of work to do.

One of the most significant barriers to mental health care in Michigan is access. Every Michigander deserves access to the quality, affordable mental and physical care that they need. That’s why in my 2023 budget I am proposing an expansion of mental and physical health services. 

These investments include:

• Increasing the availability of inpatient mental health services 
• Supporting outreach campaigns to increase veterans suicide awareness 
• Expanding student loan forgiveness for more mental health professionals 
• Making mental health screening tools available in all Michigan school districts 
• Promoting recruitment and retention of mental health professionals
• Providing funding for up to 425 new mental health professionals and counselors in schools
• Opening 40 new school-based health clinics and serving 20,000 more kids ages 5-21 
• Connecting local mental health professionals with psychiatry support for treating children with significant needs
• Expanding Behavioral Health homes and Opioid health homes programs to new counties 
• And more!

I know that improving mental health care in Michigan will take more than just investments directly into health care. That’s why my budget includes major investments into education, our economy, and our infrastructure. Together, we can put Michiganders first and get this done.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan

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