Mental Health Laws and Compulsory Patients in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you are receiving compulsory (court‑ordered or involuntary) mental health treatment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, you still have important rights. Understanding these rights can help you stay involved in your care and know where to turn for support.

Grand Rapids residents may receive compulsory mental health treatment through local providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, or Mercy Health, as well as community mental health services in Kent County.

Your Basic Rights as a Compulsory Patient in Grand Rapids

Even if you are under an involuntary or court‑ordered treatment arrangement, you have the right to:

  • Be involved in decisions about your mental health treatment
  • Ask questions and receive information in a way you can understand
  • Apply to an independent tribunal or court to review or revoke your order
  • Make an advance statement about your treatment preferences
  • Nominate a support person to be involved in your care
  • Seek a second psychiatric opinion
  • Obtain legal advice and have a lawyer represent you
  • Communicate with family and friends by phone, mail, or visits (within service rules)
  • Make a complaint about your treatment or how you are being treated

These rights apply whether you receive care as an inpatient (in a hospital) or in the community (at home or in a clinic).

Assessment Orders in Michigan Mental Health Care

An Assessment Order allows a psychiatrist or qualified mental health professional to examine you to decide if you have a mental illness and whether you need compulsory treatment, even if you do not agree to be assessed.

In Grand Rapids, this assessment may occur:

  • In the community (for example, at a community mental health clinic or at home), or
  • At a hospital (such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, or Metro Health Hospital) as an inpatient.

Reasons an Assessment Order May Be Made

A doctor or mental health practitioner (such as a nurse, psychologist, occupational therapist, or social worker) may seek an Assessment Order if they believe that:

  • You appear to have a mental illness, and
  • You need immediate treatment to:
    • Stop serious deterioration in your mental or physical health, or
    • Prevent serious harm to yourself or another person, and
  • There is no less restrictive way to safely assess you.

In Michigan, cold winters, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and stress related to employment, housing, or substance use can contribute to mental health crises. Local clinicians consider both your symptoms and your safety when deciding whether an Assessment Order is needed.

What Happens After an Assessment Order

Within a short time of the Assessment Order being made (for example, within 24 hours of admission to an inpatient unit), a psychiatrist from the mental health service will examine you to decide if:

  • You have a mental illness, and
  • You need immediate treatment, and
  • There is no less restrictive way for you to receive that treatment.

If these conditions are met, the psychiatrist may place you on a Temporary Treatment Order (or similar short‑term involuntary treatment order, depending on the local court process and Michigan law).

Temporary Treatment Orders in Grand Rapids

A Temporary Treatment Order is a time‑limited order that makes you a compulsory patient for a defined period (commonly up to 28 days, depending on the court’s decision and local practice). During this time:

  • You may be required to stay in hospital (Inpatient Temporary Treatment Order), even if you do not want to
  • Or you may be allowed to live at home and attend appointments at a clinic (Community Temporary Treatment Order)

In Grand Rapids, you may receive inpatient treatment at:

  • Corewell Health – Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Other designated psychiatric units or crisis centers

You may receive community‑based treatment through Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health) or outpatient clinics affiliated with local health systems.

You Are Still a Compulsory Patient

Even if you are allowed to live at home under a community order, you are still considered a compulsory patient. You must follow the treatment plan set out in your order, but you still have the right to be involved and heard.

Making or Participating in Treatment Decisions

Your psychiatrist must talk with you about:

  • What mental health treatment options are available
  • What treatment you would prefer
  • The benefits and possible side effects of treatment

Asking Questions About Your Treatment

You have the right to ask your psychiatrist or treating team questions such as:

  • Why do I need this medication or treatment?
  • What are the side effects?
  • Are there other treatment options?
  • How long will I need to stay on this order?

The psychiatrist must answer your questions in a way you can understand.

If You Struggle to Make Decisions

If you are unable to make a decision about your treatment when a decision must be made, the psychiatrist can make a decision on your behalf. However, they must:

  • Listen to your views and preferences
  • Consider your previous wishes, values, and any advance statement you have written
  • Involve your nominated person, family, or carer where appropriate and allowed

Mental Health Tribunal or Court Review

In Michigan, court hearings or mental health review bodies (similar to a Mental Health Tribunal) decide whether compulsory treatment should continue beyond the initial period.

If you are on a Temporary Treatment Order:

  • A hearing will usually be held to decide if you need compulsory treatment for longer than the initial period (for example, beyond 28 days).
  • The tribunal or court can make a longer Treatment Order (sometimes called a continuing or extended order).

Typical maximum durations may include:

  • Up to 3 months if you are under 18 (varies by court and circumstances)
  • Different durations for community vs. inpatient orders (for example, 6–12 months), depending on Michigan law and the judge’s decision

Your psychiatrist can ask the court or tribunal to end your order early if they believe you no longer need compulsory treatment.

Your Right to Apply for Review

You have the right to:

  • Apply at any time to have your order reviewed or revoked
  • Be represented by a lawyer
  • Present your views, and have your nominated person or support person attend (if permitted)

Ask a member of your treating team, case manager, or social worker to help you:

  • Get the correct application forms
  • Submit them to the appropriate court, tribunal, or mental health review board

Advance Statements in Grand Rapids

An advance statement (often called a psychiatric advance directive or advance directive for mental health) is a written document that explains what treatment you would like if you become unwell and cannot express your wishes at the time.

How to Make an Advance Statement

You can make an advance statement at any time by:

  1. Writing down:
    • The kinds of treatment you prefer (for example, certain medications, therapy, or hospital preferences such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health)
    • Treatments you would prefer to avoid, if possible
    • People you want involved in your care (family, friends, faith leaders, etc.)
  2. Signing and dating the document
  3. Having it witnessed by:
    • A doctor
    • A member of your treating team
    • Or another person legally allowed to witness statutory declarations or legal documents in Michigan (for example, a notary public or certain professionals)

The witness must confirm that you understand what the advance statement is and what it means to make one.

Keep a copy with:

  • Your primary care provider (GP)
  • Your psychiatrist or therapist
  • Your nominated person or close family member

Choosing a Nominated Person (Support Person)

A nominated person is someone you choose to support you if you need compulsory mental health treatment. This person can help you:

  • Understand information about your care
  • Communicate your wishes to the treatment team
  • Attend meetings or hearings with you (where allowed)

Your nominated person can be:

  • A family member
  • A partner or close friend
  • A carer
  • Any adult you trust and who knows you well

How to Nominate Someone

To nominate a person:

  1. Write down their name and contact details
  2. State that you want them to be your nominated person
  3. Sign and date the nomination
  4. Ask the person if they agree to take on this role
  5. Have the nomination witnessed by:
    • A doctor
    • A member of your treating team
    • Or someone legally allowed to witness statutory declarations

The witness cannot be the person you are nominating.

Your nominated person may receive information about your mental health treatment (within privacy and consent rules) and can help you make decisions.

Seeking a Second Psychiatric Opinion in Grand Rapids

You have the right to seek a second opinion about your psychiatric condition or treatment.

You can:

  • Ask your case manager, clinician, or social worker to help you arrange a second opinion
  • Request a psychiatrist from a different service, such as:
    • Another department within Corewell Health / Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • An independent psychiatrist in private practice

Your treating psychiatrist must consider the recommendations from the second opinion. If they decide not to follow some or all of those recommendations, you can:

  • Ask the Office of the Chief Psychiatrist or equivalent oversight body to review your treatment
  • In some cases, seek legal advice to challenge decisions

You have the right to obtain legal advice and to have a lawyer represent you at:

  • Court or tribunal hearings about your mental health order
  • Appeals or applications to change or end your order
  • Complaints about your treatment or rights

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, you can seek help from:

  • Michigan Legal Aid
  • Local legal aid clinics or pro bono services
  • Private attorneys experienced in mental health law

Ask your case manager or hospital social worker for up‑to‑date contact details and referrals.

Staying Connected: Communication With Family and Friends

Compulsory treatment does not mean you are cut off from your support network. You have the right, within reasonable limits and service policies, to:

  • Receive visits from family, friends, or your nominated person
  • Make and receive phone calls
  • Send and receive letters or emails
  • Have someone of your choice with you during important treatment discussions, where appropriate

If there are any restrictions (for example, for safety reasons on an inpatient unit), staff must explain these to you.

Your Right to Complain About Mental Health Care

If you are unhappy about anything that happens while you are a compulsory patient in Grand Rapids, you have the right to complain.

Where to Start

You can first try to resolve issues by speaking with:

  • Your case manager
  • Your treating psychiatrist
  • The unit manager or clinic manager
  • The complaints officer or patient advocate at the hospital or clinic

If the issue is not resolved, you can contact:

  • Kent County Health Department – Behavioral Health or Mental Health Services
  • Grand Rapids Public Health or local advocacy groups
  • State‑level bodies that oversee mental health services and patient rights
  • Legal services (e.g., Michigan Legal Aid)

Ask your treating team for current phone numbers and websites for these services, as they may change over time.

Local Mental Health Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

In an emergency, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department (for example, at Spectrum Health Butterworth or Metro Health Hospital).

For non‑emergency mental health support in the Grand Rapids area, you can contact:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) – for referrals and ongoing care
  • Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health) – crisis services, assessments, and ongoing support
  • Kent County Health Department – information on local mental health and substance use services
  • Local hospital psychiatric units – for assessment and inpatient care
  • Peer support and community organizations – support groups for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use, and more

Because Michigan winters can be long and dark, many Grand Rapids residents experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or worsening depression in colder months. If you notice changes in your mood, sleep, or energy, reach out early to your doctor or a mental health professional.

Key Points for Compulsory Patients in Grand Rapids

  • A Temporary Treatment Order (or similar short‑term involuntary order) is time‑limited, often up to 28 days, and must be reviewed.
  • A psychiatrist must talk with you about treatment options and listen to your preferences.
  • You can ask questions about any part of your treatment and have them answered clearly.
  • Your treating team will help you make decisions, and must consider your views even if you lack capacity at the time.
  • A tribunal or court can make a longer Treatment Order, for example up to 3 months if you are under 18, or longer for adults, depending on Michigan law.
  • You can apply at any time to have your order reviewed or revoked, seek a second opinion, make an advance statement, choose a nominated person, and obtain legal advice.

If you are unsure about your rights or what your current order means, ask your case manager, social worker, or a legal service to explain it step by step. You do not have to navigate the Grand Rapids mental health system alone.