Mental Health Awareness Month shines spotlight on resources

Mental Health Awareness Month shines spotlight on resources

by | May 12, 2023 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 12, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Mental Health Awareness Month shines spotlight on available resources

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have joined mental health advocates around the nation to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Observed nationally since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month promotes mental health education and support to increase individual well-being and decrease the stigma often associated with seeking help for mental illness.

“Everyone should have access to mental health services and resources when they need them and where they need them,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “MDHHS is proud to continue to offer resources to support families experiencing concerns with mental health, substance use or other mental health-related issues.”

MDHHS is dedicated to addressing mental health care as part of a larger public health approach and ensuring Michigan families have access to support when dealing with personal and community-related crises and tragedies.

The department is diligently working on a variety of initiatives to expand access and eligibility to programs that support mental health and well-being. Last year, MDHHS increased its investment in children’s behavioral health services by developing a new Bureau of Children’s Coordinated Health Policy and Supports. Since its inception, the bureau has developed and issued $6 million in grants for community mental health service programs to explore innovative ways to support children and families in crisis, and for efforts to expand workforce to support the growing demand for mental health services across the state.

Additionally, the new bureau is overseeing efforts to improve behavioral health supports for youth and families with involvement in the child welfare system. These efforts are highlighting the reality that consistent access to care and opportunities for timely, effective interventions are essential to family preservation and successful reunification in the community.

“We know the negative emotional impacts of a disaster can last for months or years,” said Dr. Debra Pinals, MDHHS medical director for behavioral health and forensic programs. “Everyone recovers differently, and it can take time to regain emotional strength and equilibrium after all the stress, changes and loss we’ve been through. At the same time, we can be strengthened by the knowledge of all that we have been able to achieve during this time.”

Over the past two years, MDHHS and its partners have implemented three statewide lines to ensure that mental health or substance use help for all Michiganders is just a phone call away: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Michigan Peer Warmline and Frontline Strong Together Crisis Line. Cumulatively, almost 11,000 callers a month have received help from these three lines.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is a free 24/7 line that people can use confidentially and anonymously through call, text or chat at 988lifeline.org. 988 is available to provide support to anyone who may be experiencing emotional distress or struggling with mental health or substance use concerns. It is also a resource for family members or friends who may be concerned about a loved one’s mental health.

The Michigan Peer Warmline, 88-PEER-753 (888-733-7753), is a statewide warmline for Michiganders living with persistent mental health and/or substance use conditions. The Warmline connects individuals with certified peer support specialists who have lived experiences of behavioral health issues, trauma or personal crises, and are trained to support and empower the callers.  All calls are anonymous and the warmline operates seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Frontline Strong Together, 833-34-STRONG, is a new service funded through MDHHS that provides 24/7 support to first responders (police, EMS, fire, dispatch and corrections) and their families through a crisis line, specialty treatment and referrals. This service was developed in a partnership between first responder professional unions, Wayne State University and Michigan Crisis and Access Line staff.

Mental health in the workplace has also taken on new significance in the wake of pandemic work-life challenges. The MDHHS Stay Well program recently created a collection of resources to help plan, implement and sustain wellness programs for employees within organizations, and is working closely with Labor and Economic Opportunity as they expand offerings attending to workplace mental health. Mental Wellness Tools for Organizations is available on the Stay Well website.

According to the ongoing Household Pulse Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 30% of Michigan adults reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression during the most recent reporting period (March 29 – April 10, 2023). The Pulse Survey also found more than 12% of Michigan adults “who have ever had COVID-19” reported experiencing long-term health effects from their infection, also referred to as Long COVID. Long COVID can be associated with mental health symptoms such as anxiety, depression and concentration or memory problems, also known as “brain fog.”

For additional mental health resources, visit the COVID-19 webpage.
Update as federal Public Health Emergency comes to an end

Update as federal Public Health Emergency comes to an end

by | May 11, 2023 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 11, 2023

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS provides update as federal  Public Health Emergency comes to an end Free COVID-19 testing and vaccines to continue to be available

LANSING, Mich. – As the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) comes to a close today, May 11, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) provides updates about changes to data reporting, Epidemic Orders and the continued availability of COVID-19 testing and vaccines.

“MDHHS will continue to provide resources to Michiganders to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, including access to free testing and vaccines,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Based on changes being made at the federal level, there will be updates made to data reporting and other requirements our state has been following for the past three years.”

Testing
MDHHS will continue supporting free over-the-counter test (OTC) distribution through the Michigan library program. Tests shipped direct to households via Project Act will be supported until at least June 2023. MDHHS will also support distribution of COVID-19 antigen tests to high-risk settings including long-term care, shelters, jails and schools.

Free COVID-19 testing will also continue at neighborhood and community testing locations, including distribution of OTCs. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will continue to support free COVID-19 testing at some locations.

No-cost coverage for testing will continue for Michigan residents with Medicaid through Sept. 30, 2024, however other insurers may require cost-sharing. Individuals should contact their insurer for more information.

Vaccines
All currently distributed COVID-19 vaccines are considered federal assets. COVID-19 vaccines will eventually move to the commercial market, however, as the federal supply persists there will be no changes or cost associated with receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The shift to commercial vaccine is projected to occur this fall. The Biden Administration recently announced a program to preserve free access to COVID-19 vaccines for the uninsured and underinsured even after the PHE ends.

 

Resources after PHE end

Michiganders can find vaccine nearest them by visiting vaccines.gov or calling the COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136. MDHHS will continue to support vaccination for homebound populations through collaboration with Disability Rights of Michigan. Through a partnership with MDHHS, Medical Network One and the Visiting Nurses Association will continue also be available to support COVID-19 vaccine events.

Therapeutics
Authorized COVID-19 therapeutics will continue to be available. The federal government has purchased a supply of antiviral treatments that will be available at no cost. After that supply is depleted, costs will depend largely on the type of health insurance an individual has available. No-cost coverage will continue for Michigan residents with Medicaid through Sept. 30, 2024.

Epidemic Orders
All remaining state Epidemic Orders will be rescinded. Residential and long-term care facility reporting, testing and vaccine orders are also ending. Hospitals and Nursing Homes will need to observe CDC and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance and requirements which will continue to mandate reporting.

Data
COVID-19 remains a reportable disease in Michigan so case, death and demographic information will continue to be posted regularly along with wastewater surveillance, outbreak reporting, COVID-like Illness and hospitalization data. Negative test and case reporting is being discontinued in some jurisdictions in the United States. CDC Transmission and Community-Level reporting will therefore be discontinued as those levels rely on case rates and/or test positivity.

Although Michigan will continue to receive positive COVID-19 test results, negative COVID-19 test reporting will no longer be required and total test volume and test positivity will no longer be available on the COVID-19 Dashboard.

Other reporting changes include:

  • Per the ending of the Long-Term Care (LTC) Epidemic Order, Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged COVID-19 data will no longer be available on the LTC data page.
  • Statewide, aggregate COVID-19 Nursing Home data will be available on the LTC data page.
  • Individual facility data can be found through CMS.
  • Detailed demographic information on Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children cases will be discontinued.
  • The K-12 School District Case Rates dashboard will be discontinued at the end of this school year.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine dashboard will be updated to focus metrics on initiation and receipt of a bivalent vaccine and will be updated according to CDC cadence which is expected to be monthly starting in June.

Medicaid redeterminations
Medicaid beneficiaries will have to renew their coverage this year as Michigan resumes Medicaid eligibility redeterminations to comply with federal legislation as the PHE ends. Renewals for traditional Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan will take place monthly starting in June 2023 and run through May 2024. Monthly renewal notices will be sent three months prior to a beneficiaries’ renewal date starting with June renewal dates. Beneficiaries can check their renewal month at Michigan.gov/MIBridges.

More information about the how benefits connected to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency are changing can be found at Michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges.

To find the most updated information on COVID-19, including vaccines and testing, visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
Michigan infrastructure still needs help

Michigan infrastructure still needs help

by | May 11, 2023 | Transportation

The grades are in and Michigan infrastructure still needs help

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released their infrastructure report card for Michigan at a May 8 news conference and gave the state a cumulative grade of C-, which counts as improvement since the previous grade was D+.

Listen now: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1374205/12829012-the-grades-are-in-and-michigan-infrastructure-still-needs-help

TMT - Report Card

On this week’s Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, two people who participated in the news conference talk about the roads component of the report card.

Ron Brenke

First, Ron Brenke, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Michigan and the Michigan section of ASCE, talks about how decades of underinvestment in transportation infrastructure put Michigan where it is.

Later, Amy O’Leary, executive director of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), explains the vital transportation needs of the communities served by her organization.
Amy OLeary

Michigan’s grade for roads showed slight improvement, largely because of investments in state trunklines, the heaviest-traveled roads, from the MDOT’s Rebuilding Michigan program.

From the report:

Traffic volumes have returned from pandemic-era lows. Vehicle miles traveled in 2021 were 97 billion, 95 percent of the 2019 number. Fortunately, the condition of roads Michiganders are driving on are improving, thanks in part to a 2017 funding package. Of Michigan’s 120,000 miles of paved federal aid-eligible roads, 25 percent are in good condition, up from 20 percent good in 2017. Forty-two percent of the roads are rated as fair, and 33 percent are in poor condition. Gov. Whitmer’s 2020 “Rebuilding Michigan Program” included $3.5 billion of one-time bond financing, accelerating major highway projects on state trunklines. To erase decades of underinvestment and meet future needs, decision-makers should increase dedicated funding for roads, re-tool fee models, prioritize traffic safety, and improve resilience to worsening environmental threats.

First portrait: Ron Brenke, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Michigan. Photo courtesy of ACEC.

Second portrait: Amy O’Leary, executive director of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). Photo courtesy of SEMCOG.
Go beyond beauty with upcoming NotMISpecies webinar

Go beyond beauty with upcoming NotMISpecies webinar

by | May 11, 2023 | Environmental

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Webinar: May 25, 9-10 a.m.

To infinity…and beyond (beauty)! Highlighting a statewide ornamental invasive plant outreach program

Register for webinar ►

Did you know that many invasive plants found in natural areas today originally arrived as ornamental garden plants? Some garden professionals and community members have committed to stop selling and using ornamental plants with invasive tendencies by signing on to the Go Beyond Beauty program.

Shelly Stusick, program specialist at the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network, will share the benefits of partnering with local nurseries, garden centers and concerned citizen groups to provide ornamental invasive species education.

An infographic with figures of people gardening against a background of yellow flowers. Text reads "Happy National Gardening Day."

This webinar series explores how agencies, universities and locally led organizations are working together to protect Michigan’s natural resources through the Michigan Invasive Species Program.
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Whitmer Takes Action to Help Michiganders Save Money

Whitmer Takes Action to Help Michiganders Save Money

by | May 11, 2023 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

Gov. Whitmer Takes Action to Help Michiganders Save Money, Stay Covered During Medicaid Eligibility Redetermination Process

Executive Directive Instructs State of Michigan Departments to Help Michiganders Who May Lose Medicaid Coverage Due to Recent Federal Legislation

 

 LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive instructing all State of Michigan departments to work together to lower health care costs by helping Michiganders keep Medicaid coverage or find affordable health insurance as Medicaid eligibility renewals begin again this summer. This Directive builds on the work already being done by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) to ensure all affected Michiganders have the information they need to stay covered and save money.

 

“One of my administration’s top priorities has been ensuring that every Michigander has access to quality, affordable health insurance,” said Governor Whitmer. “As the redetermination process plays out, we will build on efforts by MDHHS and DIFS to help families stay covered and save money. Their proactive efforts have given us a strong foundation, and now every state department has a role to play. Let’s use every resource available to us to make people aware of the reinstated federal Medicaid eligibility requirements and help affected Michiganders maintain access to affordable health care.”

 

“MDHHS will continue our ongoing proactive efforts to ensure Michigan residents who are eligible for Medicaid coverage remain enrolled. We appreciate the assistance from our partners at other state government departments,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Providing families with affordable health care coverage is a top priority.”

 

“DIFS is committed to working with MDHHS and our other state partners to help Michiganders who no longer qualify for Medicaid get the affordable, comprehensive health insurance they need,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “DIFS stands ready to answer questions about purchasing a Marketplace health insurance plan or finding other options, such as employer-sponsored health insurance. Call DIFS at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered to learn more.”

 

Nationwide, Medicaid beneficiaries will have to renew their coverage to comply with federal legislation. This may result in thousands of Michiganders transitioning away from Medicaid. In Michigan, annual renewals will begin again in June 2023 and will continue through May 2024. During this period, MDHHS will review the Medicaid eligibility of more than 3.1 million Michiganders, and those who are no longer eligible for benefits must take action to maintain healthcare coverage to protect themselves and their families.

 

To help Michiganders through this process, actions taken by the state so far include:

  • Communication with impacted Michiganders by mail, text message, and targeted advertising campaigns.
  • The launch of two new websites by MDHHS and DIFS to provide information to consumers about redetermination and alternative health insurance options.
  • The addition of staff to the MI Bridges Help Desk and Customer Service lines to help Michiganders navigate the transition.
  • Outreach to employers to help ensure that individuals are informed about their employer-based health insurance options, including the existence of a special enrollment period for those affected by redetermination.

 

Effective immediately, Governor Whitmer’s executive directive instructs all state departments to cooperate with and assist MDHHS and DIFS as required, including working together to distribute information to Michiganders regarding the redetermination process and how to renew eligibility, and sharing necessary data to conduct outreach, subject to all applicable protections.

 

If you are a Medicaid beneficiary, you should take the following steps to prepare for redetermination:

  • Make sure your address, phone number and email address are up to date at www.michigan.gov/MIBridges. You can also call your local MDHHS office. If you do not have an online account for MI Bridges to access your Medicaid case or report changes, visit www.michigan.gov/MIBridges to sign up for an account. You can also locate organizations that can help you by searching for community partners.
  • Report any changes to your household or income. You can report changes at www.michigan.gov/MIBridges or by calling your local MDHHS office.
  • If you get a renewal packet, be sure to fill it out, sign the forms and return it by the due date with any proof needed. NOTE: If you do not complete and return the renewal, you may lose Medicaid coverage.

 

For more information about Medicaid eligibility renewals, visit Michigan.gov/2023BenefitChanges. For more information about coverage options for those losing Medicaid coverage, visit Michigan.gov/StayCovered or call the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at 877-999-6442, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

To view the full executive directive, click the link below: