Mental illness is one of the most common health conditions in the United States. Approximately 21.5 million adults in the United States have a co-occurring mental illness that includes both a mental illness and a substance use disorder (SUD). People with mental illnesses commonly self-medicate with drugs and alcohol when treatment is not available. Self-medication can lead to severe substance abuse, which can lead to SUD.
“It is common for people diagnosed with a mental illness to develop substance use disorders because it is very difficult to access mental health treatment,” said Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (WCCMH) Program Administrator says Melisa Tasker. “Mental health symptoms can be severe and cause a lot of suffering. Unfortunately, substances are widely available and there are various medications that can help provide instant relief from some of these symptoms. That’s why we often see people with co-morbidities.”
Mental illnesses and SUDs share common risk factors, including genetics and environmental factors such as stress and trauma, and both can affect entire families. Co-occurring conditions often affect adolescents. Young people are susceptible to peer pressure, life stressors, and difficult social environments, so it’s understandable why young people with mental health problems turn to drugs for diversion.
“I think we forget that adolescents have adult emotions and adult issues, too,” Tasker says. “Young people experience depression. They experience sadness, loss, and trauma. Because their brains are developing, they are impulsive. They engage in high risk-seeking behavior, but risk perception Everybody is trying to get through the day feeling good, including young people.”
Melisa Tasker.
We support everyone, regardless of insurance coverage
Because WCCMH is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), we are able to provide comprehensive mental health and substance use services to all county residents, regardless of insurance status. Youth and adult outpatient mental health and SUD services include individual and group therapy, medication management, health services, and other additional services, as well as assessment services, treatment planning, case management, crisis management, prison diversion, and psychiatric disorders. Includes re-entry services for residents with Imprisoned. However, WCCMH does not offer residential therapy or detox therapy.
“First and foremost, we serve people with severe mental illness. If you have a co-occurring medical condition, we are happy to provide you with co-occurring medical conditions. [support] It’s a group,” Tasker said. “The peer support professionals who work here are people with experience of both mental illness and substance use, which is why we have created an in-house program to help individuals who need basic outpatient-level care for substance abuse. I have it ready.”
To receive these services, Washtenaw County residents call the WCCMH Substance Abuse Hotline at (734) 544-3050. Uninsured individuals or those on Medicaid seeking residential treatment or detox treatment can call this number and receive a referral to a health care provider.
“If you call our line, we will assign you a substance use screener who is specially trained in how to assess the level of care for substance use disorders,” Tasker says. “From there, they are connected with one of our specially trained mental health professionals. We then provide a referral and approval to the provider of the individual’s choice.”
Washtenaw County residents with SUDs can call 734-544-3050 for evaluation and treatment referrals.
The hotline evaluates Washtenaw County residents who receive Medicaid or are uninsured for substance use disorders and connects them with treatment referrals. Authorization for screening, referral, and treatment will be given to the caller on the same day the request is received.
Requires more SUD resources
Similar measures are taken when young people are involved.
“Unfortunately, there aren’t that many resources for young people. There aren’t any,” Tasker says. “I think we have one outpatient provider for adolescents. We don’t have a lot of options for residential substance use treatment because we can’t mix adolescents and adults in the same living space. , is challenging. Hospitals are the only option at this time, especially when young people need withdrawal management or detoxification.”
The waiting time for treatment depends on your risk. If you are using IV medications or are pregnant, you can receive treatment within 24 to 48 hours.
“These people are what we call a priority population, so the turnaround time is pretty quick, within a week in most cases,” Tasker said.
Over the next few years, Tasker hopes to further expand its youth substance use resources and provide youth with more care and treatment options. Meanwhile, she encourages youth and adults to call the hotline even if they’re not sure what they need.
“We talk to you about everything in a very collaborative and caring way,” she says. “We talk to around 400 people every month who seek support, so we hear every story. We want people to live the way they want, without shame or judgment. We want to provide the services they need to get back to where they can be.”
Monique Bedford is an aspiring journalist currently working as a freelancer for Issue Media Group publications. She graduated from Oakland University in fall 2022 with her bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in Spanish. Monique Solutions She has experience in journalism, media design, and radio show hosting. When she’s not writing, she enjoys studying different cultures and languages, reading her favorite newspaper, the New York Times, and spending quality time with her friends and family. can be viewed at any time.
Photo: Doug Combe.
The MI Mental Health Series focuses on opportunities for Michigan children, teens, and adults of all ages to find the mental health help they need, when and where they need it. This is made possible with funding from. Michigan Community Mental Health Association, Health and Research Transformation CenterLifeways; West Michigan Mental Health Foundation, Northern Lakes CMH Station, on point, Sanilac County CMH, St. Clair County CMH, summit pointand Washtenaw County CMH.
