MDHHS Plans 13 More Mental Health Crisis Stabilization Units (CSU's)

The one example cited in this story appears to be a joint venture or contract with Pine Rest and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo:

https://wwmt.com/news/local/michigan-allocates-56m-13-crisis-stabilization-units-mental-health-care-behavioural-health-psychiatric-hospitals-kalamazoo-csu-emergency-department-overcrowding#

Michigan allocates $56M to launch 13 crisis stabilization units for mental health care
by Autumn Pitchure | April 7, 2025

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — People who find themselves in a behavioral health crisis will now have more places to turn to.

The State of Michigan has designated $56 million to create 13 crisis stabilization units (CSU's).

CSU's provide a short term alternative to emergency departments and psychiatric hospitals, where patients experiencing a mental health crisis can receive immediate care.

Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering with agencies across the state to implement the CSU's, ensuring no one is left hanging in what can oftentimes be their toughest moments

The first CSU in Kalamazoo, located at 1701 Olmstead Road, is currently under construction.

"Instead of going to the emergency room, having to wait there or having to go to inpatient, a crisis stabilization unit can help avoid that," Heather Treib, Pine Rest director of new business development, said.

The goal of implementing the CSU is to eliminate stress on hospital staff who handle overcrowding in emergency departments, while connecting mental health patients with the correct care, according to Treib.

Previous Coverage: State psychiatric hospital waitlist expanding
"By having a space that's dedicated to behavioral health, we can quickly get your needs met," Treib said.

Once a someone arrives to the CSU, they will undergo a 15 minute assessment, according to Treib, who added that patients can be stabilized for up to 72 hours.

"If you're able to get your needs met in two to 72 hours, that's life changing," Treib said.

Kalamazoo's CSU is expected to be fully equipped with 12 bedrooms, lounge spaces and a dining area.

"It will be a warm welcoming feel," Treib said. "Much natural light using colors, consistent with what you find in nature."

Frank Mumford, a board member for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, told News Channel 3 that a CSU could have made all the difference in his daughter's life.

Mumford's daughter has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals for a decade. When her last episode hit, she waited three days in a psychiatric unit before being sent across the state to Flint for treatment.

"The biggest time we can help people is initially right up front when they have the first breaks," Mumford said. "If there's something there that the families or the people can turn to, it's definitely a step in the right direction."

Kalamazoo's CSU will be open 24 hours, according to Pine Rest medical director Doctor Bibhas Singla.

"We will accept everybody, no matter what their insurance is, whether they have one or not, we will serve them," Singla said.

Currently, there are only two operational CSU's in Michigan: one in Wayne County and the other in Kent County.

"We in mental health are recognizing that we need different levels of services for different needs as they arise for people," Doctor Debra Pinals, medical director for Behavioral Health and Forensic Programs for MDHHS, said.

One in five Americans experience a mental illness, according to Doctor Pinals.

People are also finding themselves waiting to get into Michigan's four state psychiatric hospitals. There are currently 36 people on the list, according to Doctor Pinals.

"For many reasons, complex reasons, these individuals end up in the criminal system," Doctor Pinals said. "This is something that we believe CSU's will help us limit and reroute people towards the treatment door."

While Doctor Singla is appreciative the state is prioritizing behavioral health services, he wants to see more done upfront.

"I think we need to go further and provide ongoing services so that the crisis does not happen in the first place," Doctor Singla said.

Pine Rest hopes to have their Kalamazoo CSU operational by July.

The behavioral health provider is also partnering with Integrated Services of Kalamazoo to continue their crisis residential services (CRS), which will be co-located within the same facility.

CRS's are used to avert an inpatient psychiatric admission, or to shorten the length of inpatient stay.

Services may be provided for a period of up to 14 days per crisis residential episode.