Mental illness is common in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Mental illness affects people in every community, including here in Grand Rapids. National data show that about 1 in 5 American adults experience a mental illness each year, and an estimated 45% of adults will be affected by a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

A mental illness is a health condition that affects the brain and impacts how a person:

  • Feels and regulates emotions
  • Thinks and processes information
  • Behaves and makes decisions
  • Relates and interacts with other people

In Grand Rapids, local healthcare systems like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health see thousands of patients each year for mental health concerns ranging from mild anxiety to severe depression and psychotic disorders.

Cold, dark Michigan winters, changing seasons, and stressors such as financial strain or chronic illness can all contribute to mental health challenges for people living in the Grand Rapids and Kent County area.

How mental illnesses are diagnosed

Mental illnesses are diagnosed using standardized criteria, such as those in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). A licensed professional (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or primary care provider) evaluates:

  • Symptoms (what you feel or experience)
  • How long symptoms have been present
  • How much symptoms interfere with daily life

The severity of a mental health condition is usually described as:

  • Mild – symptoms are present but you can still manage most daily activities
  • Moderate – symptoms clearly affect work, school, relationships, or self-care
  • Severe – symptoms seriously limit functioning and may require intensive treatment or hospitalization

In Grand Rapids, these evaluations may be done in:

  • Primary care clinics
  • Outpatient mental health centers
  • Hospital-based behavioral health programs
  • Community health clinics supported by the Kent County Health Department

Common types of mental illness in the United States

While statistics are national, they reflect what many people experience locally in West Michigan as well.

Some of the most common mental illnesses include:

Mood disorders

Mood disorders (also called affective disorders) involve persistent changes in mood, such as prolonged sadness or extreme mood swings.

Common mood disorders include:

  • Depression (major depressive disorder)

    • Each year, around 10% of American adults experience depression or significant depressive symptoms.
    • Women are affected somewhat more often than men.
    • Depression can cause low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep and appetite, fatigue, and thoughts of death or suicide.

  • Bipolar disorder (Bipolar I and Bipolar II)

    • Bipolar I disorder affects up to about 1% of Americans over their lifetime.
    • Bipolar II disorder may affect up to 5% of people.
    • Bipolar disorders involve cycles of depression and episodes of elevated or irritable mood (mania or hypomania), changes in energy, sleep, and behavior.

Many Grand Rapids residents receive treatment for mood disorders through:

  • Hospital systems (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health)
  • Private counseling practices
  • Community mental health services in Kent County

Anxiety disorders

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the United States. Nationally, about 13% of the population experiences an anxiety disorder in a given year.

Anxiety disorders include:

  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Social anxiety disorder
  • Specific phobias
  • Anxiety and stress-related disorders

Symptoms can include excessive worry, restlessness, irritability, difficulty concentrating, muscle tension, and sleep problems.

In 2017, approximately 6% of people living with an anxiety disorder also experienced depression, highlighting how often these conditions occur together.

Psychotic disorders

Psychotic disorders involve a loss of contact with reality, which may include:

  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
  • Delusions (strong beliefs not based in reality)
  • Disorganized thinking and speech

Conditions in this group include:

  • Schizophrenia
  • Schizoaffective disorder
  • Other psychotic illnesses

National estimates suggest that around 0.4% of Americans are affected by a psychotic illness in a given year. While this is a smaller percentage, these conditions can be severe and usually require ongoing care, sometimes including hospitalization and community support.

Living with more than one mental illness (comorbidity)

It is common for people to experience more than one mental health condition at the same time. For example:

  • Anxiety and depression often occur together
  • Substance use disorders can occur alongside mood or anxiety disorders
  • Personality disorders can co-exist with depression, anxiety, or substance use

This combination of conditions is called comorbidity. Comorbid mental illnesses can:

  • Make symptoms more severe
  • Increase the risk of self-harm or suicide
  • Complicate diagnosis and treatment

In Grand Rapids, integrated care models—where mental health, primary care, and substance use treatment are coordinated—are increasingly used by local health systems to address these complex needs.

Mental illness and suicide risk

Mental illness is strongly associated with an increased risk of suicide. National data on people who died by suicide show that many had at least one mental health condition at the time of death.

Common mental health conditions that may be present in people who die by suicide or have suicidal thoughts include:

  • Mood disorders (including depression and bipolar disorder) – associated with a large proportion of suicide deaths
  • Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use (alcohol or drugs)
  • Anxiety and stress-related disorders
  • Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
  • Personality disorders

In some studies, about 80% of suicide deaths were found to have at least one comorbid condition, many of them related to mental health.

In Michigan, including the Grand Rapids area, suicide has been a growing public health concern. Factors that may contribute include:

  • Seasonal mood changes related to long, dark winters
  • Economic stressors
  • Social isolation
  • Untreated or undertreated mental illness

If you or someone you know in Grand Rapids is talking about suicide, feeling hopeless, or showing warning signs, seek help immediately.

Local mental health resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, help is available locally. You do not have to manage this alone.

Start with a healthcare provider

  • Primary Care or Family Doctor
    • Many people in Grand Rapids first talk to their primary care provider within systems like Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.
    • Your doctor can screen for depression, anxiety, and other conditions and refer you to a mental health specialist.

Community and public health resources

  • Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health Authority)

    • Provides mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services for Kent County residents.
    • Focuses on people with more serious mental health needs or limited income/insurance.

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Offers information on local mental health programs, community support, and public health initiatives related to suicide prevention and behavioral health.

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local nonprofits

    • Various community organizations provide counseling, support groups, and crisis intervention, often on a sliding-fee scale.

Crisis and suicide prevention resources

If you are in crisis in Grand Rapids or anywhere in Michigan:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

    • Dial 988 (24/7, free, confidential)
    • Talk, text, or chat with trained counselors

  • Emergency care

    • Go to the nearest emergency department (e.g., at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health Hospital).
    • Call 911 if there is immediate danger to yourself or others.

Key points about mental illness in Grand Rapids

  • Mental illness is common – roughly 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental health condition each year, and this includes many people living in Grand Rapids.
  • Symptoms affect daily life in different ways and to different degrees – from mild to severe, impacting home life, work, school, and relationships.
  • Common conditions include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia.
  • Many people live with more than one mental illness at the same time, such as anxiety and depression or depression and substance use.
  • Mental illness is associated with an increased risk of suicide, especially when conditions are untreated or combined with substance use or severe stress.
  • Effective help is available in Grand Rapids, including primary care, hospital-based behavioral health services, community mental health programs, and crisis hotlines.

If you live in Grand Rapids, MI and recognize any of these symptoms in yourself or someone you care about, consider reaching out to a local healthcare provider or mental health service. Early support can make a significant difference in recovery and quality of life.