Michigan to Put More Funding Toward Mental Health Resources

You know how since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, corporations, businesses, even our state governments have been preaching about taking care of ourselves and our mental health, yet they don't really actually change anything themselves to make that attainable?

Well now, according to WILX, the State of Michigan is preparing to put its money where its mouth is and actually put more funding in the hands of mental health resources so it can be treated on the same level as physical health.

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Taking Care of Mental Health is Easier Said Than Done

As someone who struggles with their mental health daily, sometimes to the point it is actually physically debilitating, I know what it is like to hear people tell you day in and day out to "take care of you first" only to not really understand or ACTUALLY want to help. You get a lot of lip service as someone with mental health issues.

This is not to say that is the case for everyone or that every person in your life who says things like that does not care. However, the truth of the matter is, it is so hard to actually do what you've got to do on your own to get better, let alone strike up the courage to ask those around you for help. Even admitting you can't go at it alone is terrifying.

It's also frustrating when the professional resources you could turn to seem a bit too out of reach. Be it financial reasons, time constraints or anything in-between. Accessing mental health care is often met with a lot of hoops to jump through and is often a logistical nightmare.

How Michigan Wants to Change This

Well, as reported by WILX News 10, "Starting this month, 13 mental health and addiction clinics across Michigan will receive the same Medicaid funding as any other health center..."

This means, as WILX breaks it down, that these 13 "Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics" will actually be reimbursed by Medicaid instead of getting funding through grants, just like any other health care service out there.

That's right, mental health and addiction services will finally be treated with the same level of importance as physical health care.

Now, basically (there's probably more that goes into it) these clinics were selected, as WILX reports, due to the fact they meet higher standards set in order to receive said funding.

However, per WILX, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, whose been championing for this cause, hopes to get all 33 of Michigan's CCBHC's that provide 24/7 crisis services, the same reimbursement eventually.

We All Struggle, It's Reassuring to See Some Help

I say "see some help" in more ways than one. First of all, I think everyone could benefit from some therapy, whether they THINK they "need" it or not.

Second, just seeing someone in our government fighting for those who have been limited in their access to mental health care is so reassuring.

It has been so nice over the past year (or so) to see conversations open up and the stigma start to dissipate around mental health issues.

The truth is, we all struggle in one way or another (or many ways) and what works for one person, doesn't always work for others. This is a way for people to have more options to find out what works for them. Having more, happier people walking around getting the care they need? That's a win for everyone, isn't it?