State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-MI-03 | SenateDems.com
State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-MI-03 | SenateDems.com
State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-MI-03) said she believes increasing access to inpatient health care is "essential" for the state of Michigan.
Her comments come after Great Lakes Wire reported that Michigan ranked 46th among 50 states plus the District of Columbia for the number of psychiatric beds per 100,000 people.
"I firmly believe that expanding access to inpatient mental health care is essential for Michigan, especially given the growing mental health crisis," Chang told Detroit City Wire. "The current shortage of psychiatric beds results in longer wait times and greater strain on emergency services, leaving many individuals without the care they need when they need it most."
"The state must prioritize mental health infrastructure as part of a comprehensive approach to public health and well-being," said Chang.
Michigan ranked 46th among 50 states plus the District of Columbia for the number of psychiatric beds per 100,000 people.
That’s according to an analysis of psychiatric beds in the state conducted by the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC).
The TAC report found that, “in 2023, Michigan had 5 psychiatric beds per 100,000 population,” placing the state among the lowest in the nation for inpatient mental health care capacity.
That number is well below the 40 to 60 beds per 100,000 that TAC said is the “recommended minimum” for states.
"I have been working alongside my colleagues in the Senate to address this issue," said Chang. "Last session, I co-sponsored SB 802, which aimed to improve access to psychiatric care by expanding support for mental health facilities and streamlining the process for ensuring that care is accessible across the state."
"Additionally, SBs 915-918 is part of a broader effort to increase the number of psychiatric beds and enhance the state’s mental health infrastructure," she said. "Together, these initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to both increasing bed capacity and addressing the broader mental health workforce shortage that is contributing to these challenges."
The TAC report said psychiatric bed availability has been consistently declining since the 1950s.
“In 1955, the country had 340 psychiatric beds per 100,000 people. By 2016, that number had fallen to 11.7 per 100,000, leaving many individuals with severe mental illness without adequate inpatient care options,” said the report.
Founded in 1998, the TAC is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Va., that focuses on mental health policy and research related to serious mental illness.
A report by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan found that Michigan has a total of 3,195 inpatient psychiatric beds, including those in state psychiatric hospitals and community hospitals. However, the state’s bed-to-population ratio remains inadequate to meet service needs.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also reported that between 2018 and 2020, Michigan had a total psychiatric bed-to-population ratio of 33.0 per 100,000 when including both state and private facilities. Even with this broader measure, the state still falls short of the minimum recommended capacity, emphasizing the need for increased psychiatric bed availability.
The psychiatric bed shortage has far-reaching consequences, leading to overcrowded emergency rooms, long wait times for inpatient care, and increased burdens on law enforcement and social services.
"I empathize with the immense difficulty Michigan families face when they struggle to find psychiatric care for their loved ones due to the state’s bed shortage," said Chang. "The issue is compounded by the lack of enough trained mental health professionals, which makes access to care even more challenging."
She said she supports policies that integrate mental health services with Michigan's broader healthcare system, which she said would make "care more accessible and comprehensive for all."
Chang was first elected to the State Senate in 2018 after serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. She holds a Master of Public Policy and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan.
Where does Michigan rank in psychiatric beds per 100,000 people?
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