Mental Health Services and Programs in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you or someone you care about is struggling with a mental health concern in Grand Rapids, Michigan, there are many local services, programs, and professionals who can help. Understanding your options can make it easier to take the first step toward support.

Grand Rapids residents have access to a strong network of providers, including Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, and community-based organizations, as well as county and state resources.

Where to Start if You’re Concerned About Mental Health

Talk to Your Primary Care Provider

Your family doctor or primary care provider in Grand Rapids is often the best first contact. They can:

  • Do an initial assessment of your mental health
  • Rule out physical causes (like thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, or medication side effects)
  • Provide short-term support or medication when appropriate
  • Refer you to a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist in the Grand Rapids area

Many primary care practices are affiliated with:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health

Ask your doctor about behavioral health or integrated mental health services within their clinic.

When to Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Department

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if:

  • You or someone else is in immediate danger of self-harm or suicide
  • There are threats or acts of violence toward others
  • Someone is severely confused, disoriented, or unable to care for themselves
  • There are signs of a serious medical emergency (chest pain, difficulty breathing, overdose, etc.)

In Grand Rapids, emergency mental health care is available at major hospital systems such as Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, and other local emergency departments.

Community Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids

Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health)

For residents of Grand Rapids and Kent County with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities, Network180 is the primary public mental health provider.

Network180 can help with:

  • Crisis intervention and stabilization
  • Ongoing case management
  • Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
  • Community-based support and rehabilitation services

They coordinate services funded by the State of Michigan and Medicaid. Eligibility is based on clinical need and insurance/benefit status.

Kent County Health Department & Grand Rapids Public Health

The Kent County Health Department and local public health programs in Grand Rapids:

  • Provide information on mental health resources
  • Offer referrals to local counseling and support services
  • Run community education programs on depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicide prevention

These resources are especially important in West Michigan, where seasonal changes, long winters, and reduced sunlight can contribute to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and worsening depression.

Adult Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids

Adults (typically ages 18–64) in Grand Rapids can access a range of services, both public and private.

Hospital-Based and Intensive Services

These services are usually for people with moderate to severe mental health conditions, including major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or severe anxiety.

Options include:

  • Inpatient psychiatric units
    Short-term hospitalization in local hospitals (such as Corewell Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids) for:

    • Suicidal thoughts or attempts
    • Severe psychosis (hallucinations, delusions)
    • Severe mood episodes
    • Acute safety concerns

  • Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (PHP/IOP)
    Structured day programs that allow you to return home at night, often used as:

    • A step-down from inpatient care
    • An alternative to hospitalization when safe

  • Crisis and community outreach teams
    Community-based crisis services may:

    • Assess people in their home or community
    • Help stabilize a crisis without hospitalization when possible
    • Connect individuals to ongoing care

Community-Based Adult Mental Health Services

Many adults in Grand Rapids receive care through outpatient and community programs, such as:

  • Outpatient counseling and therapy

    • Individual, couples, and family therapy
    • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused therapies, and more
    • Available through private practices, clinics, churches, and nonprofit agencies

  • Psychiatric services

    • Evaluation for mental health diagnoses
    • Medication management
    • Available at hospital-affiliated clinics (Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Metro Health, Mercy Health) and independent psychiatrists

  • Community support programs

    • Case management
    • Help with housing, employment, and daily living skills
    • Peer support groups and recovery-oriented services

These services are particularly important for people living with long-term or severe mental illness who want to live independently in the community.

Specialist Adult Mental Health Services

Some Grand Rapids and Michigan-wide services focus on specific needs, including:

  • People with acquired brain injury or neurodegenerative conditions who also have psychiatric symptoms
  • Military veterans (through the VA Medical Center and local veteran support organizations)
  • People with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders
  • Individuals with eating disorders or personality disorders
  • People with intellectual or developmental disabilities and mental illness

Your primary care provider, Network180, or hospital-based behavioral health departments can help connect you to these specialized services.

Mental Health Services for Children and Adolescents

Children and teens in Grand Rapids may experience anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, or other mental health challenges. Early support is essential.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinics

Services for children and teens (0–18 years) may include:

  • Clinical assessment and diagnosis
  • Individual and family therapy
  • Medication management by child and adolescent psychiatrists
  • Behavioral interventions at home and school

These services are available through:

  • Pediatric behavioral health programs at Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Network180’s child and family services
  • Private pediatric and adolescent mental health clinics

Hospital and Specialty Programs for Youth

Some youth need more intensive or specialized support:

  • Pediatric consultation-liaison psychiatry
    For children and teens hospitalized for medical conditions (e.g., cancer, cystic fibrosis) who also have mental health symptoms like depression or anxiety.

  • Inpatient or residential treatment for youth
    For severe emotional, behavioral, or safety concerns that cannot be managed at home.

  • Autism and developmental assessment services
    Diagnostic evaluation for:

    • Autism spectrum disorder
    • Serious developmental delays
    • Co-occurring behavioral and emotional challenges

  • Day treatment and therapeutic school programs
    Integrated educational and therapeutic programs for youth with:

    • Behavioral difficulties
    • Severe depression or anxiety
    • Trauma-related disorders
    • Significant emotional or relational problems

  • Intensive mobile youth outreach
    Community-based teams that:

    • Provide intensive case management
    • Support teens with complex needs, at-risk behaviors, or suicidal thoughts
    • Coordinate care with families, schools, and other providers

School-Based and Early Intervention Programs

Many Grand Rapids schools partner with mental health providers to offer:

  • On-site counseling and social work services
  • Early intervention programs for behavior and conduct issues
  • Education and support for students at risk of depression, anxiety, or substance use

Ask your child’s school counselor or social worker about mental health services available in your district.

Mental Health Services for Older Adults (65+)

Grand Rapids has a growing population of older adults, many of whom face unique mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, dementia-related behaviors, and adjustment to chronic illness or loss.

Aged Persons Mental Health Services

Specialized services for older adults may include:

  • Geriatric mental health community teams

    • Assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation
    • Case management and in-home support
    • Coordination with primary care, home health, and senior services

  • Education and support for families and caregivers

    • Understanding dementia-related behaviors
    • Managing stress and caregiver burnout
    • Planning for long-term care

  • Specialized residential or nursing facilities

    • For older adults whose mental illness or dementia-related behaviors cannot be safely managed in standard senior living settings

  • Acute geriatric inpatient services

    • Short-term hospitalization for:
      • Severe depression or suicidal thoughts
      • Aggression or agitation related to dementia
      • Acute confusion or psychosis

These services are often provided through hospital geriatric psychiatry units, community mental health programs, and specialized senior care facilities in and around Grand Rapids.

Telephone and Online Mental Health Support

If you’re not sure where to start, or if you need someone to talk to right away, there are several free and confidential hotlines available to people in Grand Rapids and across Michigan.

Crisis and Suicide Prevention

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
    Call or text 988 or chat via the 988 website
    For anyone in emotional distress, suicidal thoughts, or a mental health crisis.

  • Crisis Text Line
    Text HOME to 741741
    Free, 24/7 support from a trained crisis counselor via text.

Youth and Young Adult Support

  • National youth helplines and online supports offer:
    • Free counseling
    • Information on depression, anxiety, self-harm, and bullying
    • Online forums, chat, and tools for coping skills

Local organizations and school-based programs in Grand Rapids often refer youth and families to these services for after-hours or supplemental support.

Support for Adults and Families

  • National and Michigan-based helplines and online programs offer:
    • Support for depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship issues
    • Resources for parents, caregivers, and spouses
    • Information about local therapists and support groups

Check the Kent County Health Department, Network180, or your health system’s website for updated lists of recommended hotlines and online resources.

Private Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids

Many people in Grand Rapids choose to see private mental health professionals, either in person or via telehealth.

Types of Private Providers

  • Psychiatrists – Medical doctors who can diagnose mental health conditions and prescribe medications.
  • Psychologists – Provide therapy and psychological testing.
  • Licensed professional counselors (LPCs), social workers (LMSWs), and marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) – Offer counseling and psychotherapy.
  • Telehealth providers – Online therapy and psychiatry services that may be licensed in Michigan.

Private providers may practice in:

  • Hospital-affiliated outpatient clinics
  • Group practices
  • Solo practices
  • Community and faith-based counseling centers

Insurance and Payment

Coverage for mental health services in Michigan varies by insurance plan. Many plans cover:

  • A set number of therapy sessions per year
  • Psychiatric evaluations and medication management
  • Telehealth visits

Check with your insurance company and the provider’s office about:

  • Copays and deductibles
  • In-network vs. out-of-network coverage
  • Any limits on the number of covered visits

How Your Doctor Can Help You Navigate Mental Health Care

Your primary care doctor in Grand Rapids can:

  • Screen for depression, anxiety, and other conditions
  • Provide initial treatment and follow-up
  • Refer you to:
    • Psychiatrists
    • Psychologists
    • Counselors or social workers
    • Community mental health programs
    • Residential or hospital-based programs if needed

If you require more intensive treatment, your doctor or psychiatrist can help coordinate:

  • Admission to an inpatient or partial hospitalization program
  • Enrollment in an intensive outpatient or community-based program
  • Referrals to specialty services (e.g., eating disorders, trauma, substance use)

Grand Rapids–Specific Considerations: Weather, Seasons, and Mental Health

Living in West Michigan, including Grand Rapids, means:

  • Long, cold winters with snow and ice
  • Shorter daylight hours, especially from late fall through early spring
  • Rapid weather changes near the Great Lakes

These conditions can contribute to:

  • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  • Worsening depression or anxiety
  • Social isolation, especially for older adults or those with limited mobility

Local providers often recommend:

  • Light therapy for SAD
  • Regular physical activity, even indoors
  • Social connection through community centers, churches, and support groups
  • Proactive mental health checkups in fall and winter

If you notice your mood consistently drops each winter, talk with a Grand Rapids mental health professional about seasonal depression.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids

You can start by contacting:

  • Your primary care provider or pediatrician
    For initial assessment and referrals.

  • Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health)
    For crisis services and public mental health programs.

  • Major health systems in Grand Rapids

    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health

  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health
    For information on local mental health resources and prevention programs.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Getting help for a mental health concern is a sign of strength. Grand Rapids offers many options—from brief counseling to intensive programs—so you don’t have to face these challenges alone.