Getting Help for Someone with a Mental Illness in Grand Rapids, MI

Although there are many different types of mental illness and symptoms, family members and friends in Grand Rapids often share similar experiences when someone they care about is struggling.

In West Michigan, where long winters, gray skies, and seasonal changes can affect mood and stress levels, mental health support is especially important. Knowing how to help — and where to turn locally — can make a real difference.

If It’s an Emergency

If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical attention:

  • Call 911 right away.
  • You can also go to the nearest emergency department, such as:
    • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital (Corewell Health) in downtown Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Emergency Department
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health Emergency Department

Do not ignore warning signs like suicidal thoughts, severe confusion, threats of violence, or self-harm.

There Is a Lot You Can Do to Help

Encourage Early Treatment

The sooner someone with a mental illness receives help, the better their chances of recovery or effective management. In Grand Rapids, you can:

  • Encourage them to see a doctor or mental health professional
    • Suggest making an appointment with:
      • Their primary care provider
      • A local behavioral health clinic (such as Spectrum Health Behavioral Health, Trinity Health Behavioral Health, or Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services)
  • If they refuse to see a doctor, consider:
    • Making an appointment yourself with your own doctor or a mental health provider to discuss your concerns and get advice on next steps.

Learn About Mental Illness and Local Resources

Understanding what your loved one is going through can help you respond with empathy and confidence.

  • Read about their condition (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, etc.) from trusted sources like:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Grand Rapids Public Health
    • Major local health systems’ websites (Spectrum Health/Corewell, Trinity Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health)
  • Ask about:
    • Treatment options (therapy, medication, support groups)
    • Local mental health services in Grand Rapids and Kent County

Recognize that symptoms may come and go and vary in severity. Your loved one may need different levels of support at different times.

Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Skills

Consider taking a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) course in West Michigan. These classes are often offered through:

  • Local hospitals and health systems
  • Community mental health organizations
  • Area nonprofits and faith-based organizations

MHFA training can help you:

  • Recognize early signs and symptoms of mental illness
  • Respond appropriately during a mental health crisis
  • Connect someone to professional help quickly

Search for “Mental Health First Aid Grand Rapids MI” to find current training sessions.

Take Care of Yourself Too

Supporting someone with a mental illness can be emotionally draining. To stay well yourself:

  • Acknowledge your feelings — guilt, anger, sadness, or shame are common.
  • Remember: you are not to blame, and neither is the person with the illness.
  • Know your limits:
    • Decide what kind of help you can realistically provide (transportation, emotional support, help with appointments, daily tasks).
    • Communicate these limits clearly to:
      • Your loved one
      • Their mental health team (psychiatrist, therapist, case manager, social worker)

This helps professionals arrange additional support where needed, such as:

  • Case management through local community mental health services
  • In-home supports
  • Respite care for family caregivers

You can also look for support groups for families and caregivers through:

  • Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
  • Spectrum Health/Corewell behavioral health programs
  • Local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) chapters serving West Michigan

Planning for Ongoing and Future Care

Work with healthcare professionals and other family members to:

  • Discuss long-term care options
  • Plan what will happen if symptoms get worse
  • Decide who will:
    • Attend appointments
    • Help with medications
    • Help during a crisis

Having a plan in place is especially helpful in Grand Rapids winters, when travel, isolation, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can make symptoms harder to manage.

Encouraging Structure and Daily Routines

People severely affected by mental illness often benefit from a predictable daily routine. You can help them:

  • Develop regular routines, such as:
    • Consistent wake-up and bedtimes
    • Regular meals
    • Planned activities each day
  • Introduce gradual changes to prevent boredom without overwhelming them.
  • Break tasks into small steps, for example:
    • Steps for showering, dressing, or preparing a simple meal
  • Support decision-making:
    • Encourage them to make their own choices, even small ones.
    • Try to avoid making decisions for them, even if they seem unsure or change their mind often.
  • Encourage participation in activities:
    • Short walks on the Grand River trails
    • Visiting local parks when weather allows
    • Indoor activities in winter (library visits, support groups, hobbies, faith communities)

Dealing With Disturbing or Extreme Behavior

When Behavior Becomes Very Distressing

It can be hard to cope when a loved one’s behavior becomes extreme, unpredictable, or frightening. Consider:

  • Talking with the person when they are calm about:
    • What helps them feel safer
    • What signs mean they are getting worse
  • Contacting healthcare professionals for guidance:
    • Their psychiatrist, therapist, or case manager
    • Local community mental health crisis teams

In Kent County, you can ask your provider about available crisis services and mobile crisis teams.

Aggressive or Violent Behavior

Aggressive or violent behavior may be linked to:

  • Psychotic symptoms (such as hallucinations or delusions)
  • Severe stress
  • Alcohol or drug use

When to Involve Professionals Immediately

If someone is:

  • Threatening violence
  • Acting aggressively
  • Destroying property
  • Making you feel unsafe

You should:

  • Contact their treating healthcare professionals immediately
  • Call 911 if you are in immediate danger
  • Consider contacting the Grand Rapids Police Department and informing them that this is a mental health crisis, if safe to do so.

If you live with someone who is repeatedly aggressive or violent, it may be safer to:

  • Explore living separately
  • Ask a social worker or case manager about housing and safety options

This can sometimes work out better for both of you in the long run.

Alcohol, Drug Use, and Mental Illness

Alcohol and other drug use can:

  • Trigger mental health symptoms
  • Worsen existing mental illness
  • Interfere with medications and treatment

If you’re concerned about a family member or friend’s substance use in Grand Rapids:

  • Talk with their doctor, therapist, or psychiatrist
  • Ask about referrals to:
    • Local addiction treatment programs
    • Dual-diagnosis (mental health + substance use) services
  • Check with:
    • Kent County Health Department for local substance use resources
    • Local health systems’ addiction services (Spectrum Health/Corewell, Trinity Health, Metro Health)

Self-Harm

Self-harm is when a person deliberately injures themselves to cope with intense feelings such as anger, despair, or self-hatred. This may include:

  • Cutting
  • Burning
  • Biting
  • Hitting themselves

If someone you are with has self-harmed and needs medical care:

  • Seek immediate treatment at:
    • Your local doctor’s office or urgent care
    • A hospital emergency department in Grand Rapids (e.g., Spectrum Health Butterworth, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health)

Suicidal Thoughts

If someone close to you is having suicidal thoughts:

  • Talk to them calmly and directly about how they are feeling.
  • Ask why they might be having these thoughts.
  • Encourage them to:
    • Reach out to a mental health professional
    • Avoid alcohol and drugs
    • Use coping strategies that have helped them in the past

You can suggest distractions such as:

  • Walking, listening to music, or spending time with a trusted friend
  • Visiting a safe public place (like a café, library, or community center)

However, if:

  • The suicidal thoughts persist, or
  • They are hearing voices telling them to harm themselves

Contact their doctor or mental health provider immediately, or call 911 if there is immediate danger.

Manipulative or Confusing Behavior

Sometimes people with mental illness may show behavior that feels manipulative, such as:

  • Telling untrue or exaggerated stories about mistreatment
  • Trying to turn others against each other
  • Using symptoms to gain extra attention or help

This can be very confusing and emotionally draining.

You can:

  • Check the facts before reacting. Talk to:
    • Other family members
    • Healthcare professionals
  • Ask yourself whether the behavior might be a way of:
    • Asking for more support
    • Expressing unmet needs
  • Involve them in positive activities to reduce resentment:
    • Volunteering, hobbies, or gentle exercise
    • Support groups or peer programs in Grand Rapids

When Mental Illness Affects the Whole Family

One person’s mental illness affects:

  • Parents and caregivers
  • Spouses and partners
  • Children and siblings
  • Friends, coworkers, and neighbors

Supporting Children and Teens in Grand Rapids

Dealing with your child’s mental illness can be extremely distressing. Many parents in Michigan are unsure of the “right” approach.

In the Grand Rapids area, you can:

  • Talk with your child’s pediatrician or family doctor
  • Ask for referrals to:
    • Child and adolescent psychiatrists
    • School-based counselors or social workers
    • Pediatric behavioral health programs at local hospitals
  • Visit online parenting and mental health resources provided by:
    • Kent County Health Department
    • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Schools in Grand Rapids often have:

  • School counselors
  • Social workers
  • Access to community mental health referrals

Encourage your child to:

  • Talk honestly about their feelings
  • Ask questions about mental health
  • Know that they are not to blame for a parent’s or sibling’s illness

Brothers and Sisters of Someone With a Mental Illness

Siblings can be a powerful source of support. If your brother or sister has a mental illness, you can help by:

  • Talking honestly about your feelings and encouraging other family members to do the same.
  • Avoiding making the illness the center of family life:
    • Try not to let every conversation or decision revolve around the person who is ill.
  • Staying involved in your own life:
    • School, work, friendships, hobbies, and future plans are still important.
  • Getting involved in improving mental health services, such as:
    • Joining local support groups
    • Participating in mental health awareness events in Grand Rapids

If you need someone outside the family to talk to, consider:

  • A school counselor
  • Your family doctor
  • A therapist or counselor in the community

Knowing Your Limits and Getting Support

You cannot do everything alone. To protect your own mental health:

  • Set clear boundaries about what you can and cannot provide.
  • Share the responsibility with other family members, friends, and professionals.
  • Connect with local support:
    • Family and caregiver support groups
    • Faith communities and community centers
    • Mental health education programs in Grand Rapids

Key Points to Remember

  • Early help matters: The sooner someone receives treatment for a mental illness, the better the likely outcome.
  • You are not to blame: Mental illness is not your fault or your loved one’s fault.
  • Learn the signs: Training like Mental Health First Aid can help you recognize symptoms and respond in a crisis.
  • Structure helps: Predictable routines and gentle support with daily tasks can improve stability.
  • Safety comes first: Aggressive or violent behavior, severe self-harm, or suicidal thoughts require immediate professional help — call 911 or go to a Grand Rapids emergency department.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area, you are not alone. Local hospitals, clinics, community mental health services, and public health agencies are available to support both you and your loved one as you navigate mental illness together.