The state of Michigan has come a long way in the last five decades when it comes to the mental health of its residents. There are many who remember a not-too- distant time when our mentally ill family members were locked away in institutions. Too many within the mental health system have first-hand experience of our bleak national mental health history.
Little effort was done to provide adequate mental health treatment alternatives to institutionalization until 1963, when President John F. Kennedy called for a “bold approach” to mental health care by signing the Community Mental Health Act into law. This law led to the creation of community mental health centers throughout the U.S. that would offer comprehensive mental health care and would allow people currently housed within state institutions to return home.
States and counties were just beginning to align themselves to meet the Community Mental Health Act standards. Fortunately, Jackson and Hillsdale counties were better situated than most to meet their communities’ needs. A pioneer in providing mental health services, the Beth Moser Clinic, a small clinic serving the mental health needs of the children of Jackson and Hillsdale counties, had been operating for nearly a decade and had been serving adults for three years by the time Community Mental Health Act came into law.
An additional Michigan law, Public Act 54, called for the establishment of Community Mental Health Boards which would have oversight of all mental health treatment in their designated areas. It was this final push that led to the development of the Jackson-Hillsdale Community Mental Health Board in 1966. During this time, Beth Moser Clinic continued its services as a contracted entity under the Jackson-Hillsdale Community Mental Health Board and became a nationally recognized leader in the mental health field. In 1970, Beth Moser Clinic merged with the Jackson-Hillsdale Community Mental Health Board to provide one united front of services.
Since the 1970s, Jackson-Hillsdale Community Mental Health Board has gone through a myriad of changes – changes in leadership, in funding models, in service provision, and even a name change to LifeWays Community Mental Health in 1996. In spite of all of the changes, the general mission of the organization remained clear: to serve and advocate for those with mental illness or intellectual or developmental disabilities and to help them reach their full potential.
Now with office locations in both counties and over 130 employees, LifeWays Community Mental Health still provides behavioral health support, information, and services to the nearly 4,000 residents of Jackson and Hillsdale counties that they serve today. As the designated community mental health for Jackson and Hillsdale counties, LifeWays is responsible for ensuring that residents who have Medicaid or Healthy Michigan and a severe mental health condition, intellectual or developmental disability, or substance use disorder receive the services and support they need.
LifeWays provides many programs and services in-house including an Access department, Intensive Crisis Stabilization team, Physician Services Unit, Peer Support services, Case Management, Supports Coordination, Prevention and Wellness programs, Mental Health First Aid training, and Central Michigan 2-1-1. LifeWays also provides services through a Provider Network comprised of more than 40 mental health providers around the State.
LifeWays strives to help all Jackson and Hillsdale community members better understand, identify, and cope with mental illness. Even if LifeWays cannot directly provide services for a community member, they will help link them to other programs or resources that may be of help.
“Our primary mission at LifeWays is to inspire hope and promote life-enhancing recovery to all members of our communities,” said Maribeth Leonard, Chief Executive Officer at LifeWays. “It is truly our honor to be able to celebrate 50 years of hope for Jackson and Hillsdale counties and we hope for another 50 years to continue serving you.”
For more information about mental health and the services that LifeWays provides, visit www.LifeWaysCMH.org.