Forensic Mental Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Forensic mental health sits at the intersection of mental health care and the legal system. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, forensic mental health services focus on assessing and treating people who:

  • Have committed an offense,
  • Are alleged to have offended, or
  • Are at high risk of offending,

and who also live with a mental health condition.

Because people involved in the criminal justice system experience significantly higher rates of mental illness than the general population, specialized forensic mental health services are essential for public safety and individual recovery in the Grand Rapids area.

What Is Forensic Mental Health?

“Forensic” refers to anything connected with the law or the courts. Forensic mental health services in Grand Rapids provide:

  • Specialist assessment of mental health for people involved with police, courts, jails, prisons, and probation/parole.
  • Treatment and rehabilitation for people whose mental illness is linked to offending behavior or risk of offending.

People may be referred for forensic mental health assessment by:

  • Police (e.g., Grand Rapids Police Department, Kent County Sheriff’s Office)
  • Courts (Kent County courts and other West Michigan courts)
  • Jails and prisons (such as Kent County Jail or Michigan Department of Corrections facilities)
  • Probation and parole services
  • Hospitals and mental health services (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Community mental health agencies in Kent County

Why Forensic Mental Health Matters in Grand Rapids

In Michigan and across the United States, people with mental illness are:

  • More likely to be detained in custody,
  • More likely to receive a prison sentence, and
  • More likely to become victims of crime.

Young men are overrepresented in the prison population and are therefore more often referred to forensic mental health specialists.

In Grand Rapids, local factors can increase mental health needs:

  • Cold, long winters and reduced daylight can worsen depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and substance use.
  • Economic stressors in some neighborhoods may contribute to higher rates of trauma, anxiety, and justice involvement.
  • Access challenges for transportation and housing can make it harder to stay engaged in treatment.

Forensic mental health services help address these issues by providing structured, recovery-focused care that supports both individual wellbeing and community safety.

What Is Mental Illness?

A mental illness is a health condition that significantly affects how a person feels, thinks, behaves, and relates to others. It is diagnosed using standardized criteria (such as the DSM-5).

Around 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness—mild, moderate, or severe—at some point in their lives. Even when two people share the same diagnosis, the impact on their daily life, relationships, and behavior can be very different.

Common groups of mental illnesses seen in forensic mental health include:

  • Mood disorders – such as depression and bipolar disorder
  • Anxiety disorders – including generalized anxiety, panic disorder, and phobias
  • Personality disorders
  • Psychotic disorders – such as schizophrenia
  • Trauma-related disorders – including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Eating disorders
  • Substance use disorders – alcohol and drug-related conditions, which are especially common in justice-involved populations

When Forensic Mental Health Clinicians Get Involved

Forensic mental health clinicians in Grand Rapids may become involved when:

  • Offenders or alleged offenders are referred by:
    • Courts (e.g., for competency or risk assessments)
    • Parole boards
    • Probation or community corrections
  • People living in the community with a serious mental illness:
    • Have offended, or
    • Are at high risk of offending
  • Other mental health services or hospitals need help managing someone safely due to risk of violence or complex legal issues

Referrals to forensic mental health services may be made by:

  • Police and law enforcement agencies
  • Courts and judges
  • Prisons and jails
  • Community corrections and probation/parole
  • General mental health and addiction services
  • Hospitals and emergency departments (e.g., Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)

The goal is to provide recovery-focused treatment that supports rehabilitation and helps create a safer community in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Reasons for Forensic Mental Health Assessment

People who have offended, allegedly offended, or are at risk of offending may need a mental health assessment to help answer questions such as:

  • Do they currently need mental health treatment?
  • Are they experiencing a serious mental illness (for example, psychosis)?
  • Are they able to understand the court process and make a plea (fitness or competency to stand trial)?
  • What was their mental state at the time of the alleged offense?
  • Can they be safely managed in standard mental health services, or do they need a specialized forensic setting?
  • What is their risk of reoffending, and what treatment or supports can reduce that risk?

These assessments can guide court decisions, sentencing, treatment planning, and placement (for example, hospital vs. prison).

Treatment Settings in Grand Rapids and Michigan

Forensic mental health treatment can be provided in different settings, depending on risk, legal status, and clinical needs:

  • Community settings
    • Outpatient clinics and community mental health centers
    • Probation and parole-linked programs
  • Hospitals
    • Inpatient psychiatric units at major Grand Rapids hospitals (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
    • Statewide specialized forensic psychiatric facilities in Michigan
  • Correctional settings
    • Kent County Jail mental health services
    • Michigan Department of Corrections prisons with mental health units
    • Youth detention and youth justice centers

Types of Treatment in Forensic Mental Health

Forensic mental health services in Grand Rapids and across Michigan use a multidisciplinary team approach, which can include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, and addiction specialists.

Medication

Medication is often a key part of treatment, including:

  • Antidepressants
    • Used for depression, anxiety disorders, and some trauma-related conditions.
  • Mood stabilizers
    • Commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder and mood instability.
  • Antipsychotic medications
    • Used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and sometimes severe mood disorders with psychotic features.

Medication is usually combined with psychological and social interventions for best results.

Psychological Therapy

Psychological therapies may be provided one-on-one or in groups, and can include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Trauma-focused therapies
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
  • Anger management and emotion regulation
  • Relapse prevention and coping skills training

These therapies help people understand their thoughts and behaviors, manage symptoms, and reduce the risk of future offending.

Offense-specific programs focus on the link between mental health, behavior, and crime, such as:

  • Violence reduction and aggression management
  • Sexual offending treatment programs
  • Programs addressing impulsivity and poor decision-making
  • Insight-building into the impact of offending on victims and the community

Drug and Alcohol Programs

Substance use is a major factor in crime and reoffending in Michigan. Forensic mental health services often provide or coordinate:

  • Alcohol and drug assessments
  • Detox and stabilization support
  • Group and individual addiction counseling
  • Relapse prevention planning
  • Links to community-based recovery programs in Grand Rapids (e.g., AA, NA, local recovery centers)

Psychosocial Interventions

Psychosocial interventions help people rebuild their lives in the community and may include:

  • Support with housing and stable accommodation
  • Education and vocational training
  • Employment support and job readiness programs
  • Social skills training and community integration
  • Support navigating benefits and legal issues

These supports are especially important in Grand Rapids, where housing, employment, and transportation can strongly influence both mental health and risk of reoffending.

Recovery-Focused Rehabilitation

Recovery-focused rehabilitation emphasizes:

  • Building on strengths and personal goals
  • Improving daily living skills and independence
  • Encouraging hope, purpose, and connection
  • Supporting long-term stability in the community

This approach recognizes that people with serious mental illness and a history of offending can recover and live meaningful, safer lives with the right support.

Family and Carer Support

Families and carers often play a vital role in recovery. Forensic mental health services may offer:

  • Education about mental illness and the justice system
  • Guidance on managing crises and difficult behaviors
  • Family meetings and joint care planning
  • Referrals to local support groups and resources in Grand Rapids and Kent County

Who Might Need Forensic Mental Health Support?

Forensic mental health services in Michigan may be involved when:

  • Prisoners need inpatient psychiatric treatment
  • Prisoners require assessment or treatment for a mental illness
  • People are accused of crimes but considered unfit to plead because of mental impairment
  • People are found not guilty by reason of insanity or mental impairment
  • A person’s mental health needs and risk cannot be safely managed in mainstream mental health services
  • There is concern about psychosis, severe mood disturbance, or high risk behaviors linked to mental illness

Local and Statewide Forensic Mental Health Resources

In Michigan, public general and forensic mental health services are funded by the state and delivered through a mix of state facilities, community mental health agencies, and hospital systems. In and around Grand Rapids, key resources include:

  • Major healthcare systems

    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health
      These systems provide emergency and inpatient psychiatric care, and may coordinate with forensic services for justice-involved patients.

  • Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health

    • Offer information on local mental health and substance use resources.
    • Provide public health programs that may help reduce risk factors for offending, such as addiction and untreated mental illness.

  • Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC)

    • Provides mental health services in state prisons and works with forensic specialists for assessment and treatment.

  • Community mental health agencies (serving Kent County and West Michigan)

    • Offer outpatient and community-based support for people transitioning from jail or prison back into the Grand Rapids community.

  • Private forensic psychologists and psychiatrists

    • Provide independent assessments, expert court reports, and therapy for justice-involved individuals.

Getting Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or has forensic mental health concerns in Grand Rapids:

In an Emergency

  • Call 911 for immediate danger, serious self-harm risk, or violent behavior.
  • You can also go to the nearest emergency department:
    • Spectrum Health / Corewell Health emergency departments
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids emergency department
    • Other local hospital ERs in West Michigan

Non-Emergency Mental Health Support

  • Your primary care doctor (GP)
    • Can provide an initial assessment, prescribe medication, and refer you to psychiatric or forensic mental health services.
  • Local mental health and addiction services
    • Contact community mental health agencies serving Kent County for outpatient care, counseling, and case management.
  • Kent County Health Department
    • Check their website or call for information on mental health and substance use resources in Grand Rapids.
  • Michigan mental health services directories
    • Online directories list psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and treatment programs across Michigan, including Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Living With Forensic Mental Health Issues in Grand Rapids

With the right combination of medical care, psychological support, and social services, many people with serious mental illness and justice involvement can:

  • Reduce their risk of reoffending,
  • Improve their mental health and quality of life, and
  • Safely reintegrate into the Grand Rapids community.

If you are concerned about your own mental health or the behavior of someone involved in the legal system, reaching out early—to a doctor, local mental health service, or crisis line—can make a significant difference.