Mental Health

Find resources about mental health and mental illness, what symptoms to look for, where to go for help including crisis services, how to support your child experiencing mental health challenges, and how to promote positive mental health.

Children’s Mental Health 101

The Association for Children’s Mental Health has created responses to common questions and concerns raised by families who have a child experiencing mental health challenges. Example topics include: “mental health warning signs” and “common diagnoses, treatments and supports. They also include links to other resources and tools families may find useful.

Kids, Teens, and Young Adults – NAMI Grand Traverse

Kids, Teens, and Young Adults (NAMI) is a resource page from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) that provides guidance and support for young people and their families who are facing mental health challenges. The page offers age-specific information about children, teens, and young adults, helping families recognize signs of mental health conditions, find appropriate care, and access support in school and at home. It also includes resources for parents and caregivers, tips for communication, and tools for managing mental health in everyday life. The goal of the page is to encourage early support, reduce stigma, and connect individuals to helpful services and crisis resources when needed.

Fact Sheets on Mental Illness: NAMI

The Grand Traverse National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) has fact sheets with information on different types of mental illness and treatment approaches.

Mental Health Matters: Make it Ok

Mental health conditions are just that — health conditions. They are not character flaws, sources of shame or something to be hidden away. When we understand that they’re treatable conditions, we are better able to seek needed services and supports and show up for others in a more informed and compassionate way. Make it OK’s website includes information on mental health and mental illnesses.

Mental Health Screening

Online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to see what mental health symptoms you or a family member might be experiencing. Mental Health America offers a variety of screening tools that are free, quick, confidential, and backed up by science. Understanding what symptoms mean is the first step towards recovery.

Child Mind Institute Family Resource Center

The Child Mind Institute is dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families experiencing mental health and learning disorders. On their website you will find information and resources to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges.

Facts for Families

While every child is unique and special, sometimes they encounter emotions, feelings or behavior that cause problems in their lives and the lives of those around them. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Facts for Families provide concise and up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families.

Parent Guidance: Workshops for Parents

Parent Guidance is a national organization that offers free and fee-based education and therapeutic support to empower and give you hope as you support your child’s mental health. Check out their library of educational videos on a range of topics.

Parents Medication Guides

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has parent medication guides for various mental health challenges. You can access these guides on this website.

Mental Health America: Youth resources for parents

Knowledge helps parents and caregivers identify signs and symptoms of mental health issues early on, and the earlier mental health concerns are addressed, the better the outcomes. Mental Health America has gathered resources to help parent’s foster mental well-being, get familiar with the issues young people are facing, recognize problems, have conversations, and understand treatment options.

Local Behavioral Health Providers and Related Services

NAMI Grand Traverse created this list of behavioral health providers and related services and supports in the Grand Traverse region.

Addiction Treatment Services

If you or someone you love suffers from substance use disorder or other behavioral health issues, Addiction Treatment Services can help. From acute detox and residential rehab programs to recovery homes and long-term outpatient & mental health services, we’re here with the safe support you need to work through the root of your addiction and find your own recovery lifestyle.

Catholic Human Services

Catholic Human Services provides mental health and substance use counseling to help individuals navigate a range of life’s challenges including anxiety, depression, loss, relationship challenges, mental health, or substance use concerns. Their licensed therapists work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels and provide individual, couples, families and or group therapy services in person or via teletherapy.

Child and Family Services of Northwest Michigan

Catholic Human ServiChild and Family Service’s licensed therapists provide individual and family counseling in person or virtually, on a variety of issues to people of all ages. In addition, the Behavioral Health program provides SafeHave, a supervised visitation and safe exchange program for families affected by domestic violence or high conflict provides mental health and substance use counseling to help individuals navigate a range of life’s challenges including anxiety, depression, loss, relationship challenges, mental health, or substance use concerns. Their licensed therapists work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels and provide individual, couples, families and or group therapy services in person or via teletherapy.

Infant Mental Health – Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (NLCMHA) provides home-based parent-infant support and intervention services. These services are offered when a parent’s life circumstances or the characteristics of the infant threaten the parent-infant attachment and, by extension, the child’s social, emotional and cognitive development. Call their Access Line at (800) 492-5742 to learn more about and access these services.

Peace Ranch

Peace Ranch provides Professional Equine Assisted Counseling & Education (PEACE) for all in need regardless of ability to pay assisted by our herd in process of recovery. They offer EAGALA Model Mental Health Services which incorporate horses for emotional growth and learning.

Pine Rest in Traverse City

Pine Rest Traverse City Clinic provides Northern Michigan residents with quality mental health and behavioral health services both in person and through teletherapy with Michigan-licensed clinicians. Services include counseling, therapy and psychiatric services for children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Munson Behavioral Health Services

Munson Behavioral Health Services has skilled professionals who are specialists in the identification and treatment of behavioral and substance abuse disorders. They work with you to determine the right type and level of care to restore health, well-being, and a sense of worth. They can help give you the insights and tools to better cope with life’s challenges — now and for the future.

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health

Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority (NLCMHA) serves people with serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, intellectual/developmental disabilities and co-occurring substance use disorders living. To learn more and to access their services, call their Accss line (800) 492-5742.

Northwest Michigan Health Services, Inc. (NMHSI)

Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc provides low-cost health and behavioral health services to individuals with or without insurance. Interpretation and transportation supports are also available, and Medicaid and Michigan Health Plans are accepted. Whether you have health insurance or not, everyone is welcome here.

Student Health Center | Traverse City Area Public Schools

Through a partnership with Northwest Michigan Health Services Inc (NMHSI) the Student Health Center provides convenient and affordable primary care and behavioral health services to TCAPS students ages 3-21. The TCAPS Student Health Center is open year-round and is always accepting new patients.

Student Support Network | Traverse City Area Public Schools

The Student Support Network (SSN) provides free, supportive, education-related services and non-academic support to all students to help overcome obstacles that may create barriers to learning.

Support Groups – NAMI Grand Traverse

NAMI Grand Traverse offers support groups for parents of individuals experiencing mental health challenges and groups for people with mental health conditions. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others, and the groups are led by trained leaders with lived experience

Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center

At the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, we provide a safe, supportive space for children and families affected by abuse. Free therapy is available to children who have participated in their Intervention services, non-offending caregivers, parents and siblings.

Traverse Health Clinic

Traverse Health Clinic provides low-cost health and behavioral health services to individuals with or without insurance. Interpretation and transportation supports are also available, and Medicaid and Michigan Health Plans are accepted. Whether you have health insurance or not, everyone is welcome here.

Women’s Resource Center

The Women’s Resource Center offers crisis counseling to women who have experienced dating or domestic violence.

Youth Health and Wellness Center

Located on the Campus of the Career Tech Center, the Youth Health and Wellness Center provides general medical and mental health services to youth. All services are charged on a sliding scale based on your income. They accept all insurance including Medicaid. If you want to learn more or schedule an appointment, call (231) 922-6416.

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