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Community Mental Health - Millage News

Posted on: May 1, 2020

Mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic

Illustration of diverse individuals with masks

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is continuing to provide essential services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our 24/7 CARES line, expanded with funding from the Washtenaw County Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage in 2019, is fully staffed. All Washtenaw County residents are encouraged to call 734-544-3050. Our staff can provide links to mental health resources in the community or at our own agency. We have lists and lists of resources to help with a broad range of needs including food and housing. You do not need to be experiencing a severe mental health crisis to call. 

We have increased our use of telehealth to continue to serve our existing clients including youth, families, and adults in community settings and congregate living facilities. We are doing more phone outreach and support coordination, but less in person contacts. However, we are continuing to provide daily medication drops and telephone outreach to clients with more significant needs. 

Our nurses are working with our behavioral health specialists at our service sites across Washtenaw County, and our psychiatrists are using telemedicine to provide psychiatric evaluations and medication reviews. 

In addition, we’ll be offering a live FaceBook event on stress, grief, and self-care. Join us on May 4 at 5:30 p.m. to learn about the body’s response to stress and grief and get evidence-based self-care tips and resources from our trained experts. 

Beyond these in-house services, we encourage residents to explore the state and local resources below:

MDHHS Warmline

The warmline operates seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. and is run by certified peer specialists who have lived experience with mental health concerns. Learn more about the warmline or reach out to one of the peer support specialists at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). 

SafeHouse Center 

SafeHouse Center has transitioned all of its support services to a virtual platform. These services include counseling and legal support for those facing intimate partner and sexual violence. The shelter continues to operate along state COVID-19 guidelines and is accepting survivors on an as-needed basis. SafeHouse has advocates that connect clients with community resources and has specific support services and advocates for Spanish and Arabic speakers. Their 24-hour crisis line number is 734-995-5444.

NAMI Washtenaw County

NAMI Washtenaw County recently launched a series of online support groups. These groups include one for young adults, one for older adults, one for friends and family members, one for parents of children (12-25) who have contemplated suicide, and a faith group that incorporates scripture and belief. 

Mental health professionals 

Mental health professionals across the state have collaborated to develop this list of appointments available to counsel frontline responders, including essential workers of all kinds, which can be found at.  

University of Michigan psychiatry faculty 

U-M psychiatry faculty have developed a series of informative resources for individuals and families. It includes information specific to certain medical conditions and information for healthcare providers, as well. And the Washtenaw County Health Department has a mental health page with tips and links to other resources.

Home of New Vision 

Home of New Vision, one of Washtenaw County’s best regarded substance use recovery providers, is offering recovery coaching seven days a week from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Call 734-478-1043 to learn more.

Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County

Jewish Family Services is offering telehealth mental health counseling through Thrive Counseling for both current and new clients. Call 734-436-4249 or email [email protected] to learn more.

Michigan Medicine Turner Geriatric Clinic 

The Michigan Medicine Turner Geriatric Clinic is offering a virtual grief support group for older adults or family members of older adults affected by loss due to COVID-19. If you are interested in joining this support group, please call 734-764-2556 and leave your name, phone number, and email (if you have one) and someone will call you back with information.

Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living 

The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living has launched a new support group, “Alone Together.” The group will meet via Zoom on Monday evenings. Topics include finding things to do, keeping your body and mind healthy, etc. For more information, call 734-904-8328.

Additions? Corrections?

To suggest additions to this list, or to request edits, email [email protected] 


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