Great Lakes Wire

State Representative Matthew Bierlein has called for an urgent expansion of behavioral health bed capacity in Michigan to address a growing mental health crisis and ensure access to treatment. This statement was made in an op-ed published on April 10.

"If our state goes longer without increasing hospital bed capacity, more lives will be unnecessarily endangered," said Bierlein, Michigan Representative. "Joint venture partnerships between hospitals and behavioral health providers can address staffing and bed capacity needs while providing the health expertise that too many health systems are lacking. Access to a hospital bed shouldn't be a luxury, but rather the most basic level of treatment for those in need."

According to the op-ed, Michigan is facing a severe behavioral health crisis, with only five psychiatric beds per 100,000 residents. This figure falls significantly short of the recommended minimum of 50 beds per 100,000 residents needed for adequate care. The shortage leaves many of the state's over 269,000 individuals with severe mental illness without timely treatment. The lack of capacity contributes to long wait times, increased homelessness, and extended jail stays for those in crisis. National hospital bed capacity is projected to exceed 85% by 2032. Joint venture partnerships like the Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield are seen as promising solutions by expanding bed capacity and easing pressure on the healthcare system.

Bridge Michigan reports that the scarcity of psychiatric beds has placed a substantial burden on emergency services and law enforcement agencies across the state. In rural areas such as the Upper Peninsula, individuals experiencing mental health crises often face transport times ranging from eight to fifteen hours to reach the nearest available psychiatric facility. This not only delays critical care but also strains local resources as law enforcement officers are diverted from their primary duties to manage these emergencies. The lack of nearby facilities forces sheriffs and deputies to spend significant time and resources transporting patients across the state.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that mental health issues are a growing concern nationwide, with approximately 22.8% of U.S. adults—about 58.7 million people—experiencing any mental illness in the past year. These statistics underscore the increasing demand for mental health services and highlight the importance of adequate infrastructure to support those in need.

Bierlein is currently serving his second term representing Michigan’s 97th House District, which includes parts of Bay, Genesee, Saginaw, and Tuscola counties. A native of Tuscola County and former county commissioner, Bierlein has focused his legislative career on public health, government transparency, and economic relief for working families while co-owning a local physical therapy practice with his wife.