The Creative Recovery Art Group (CRAG) has been active for many years, and is open to adults 18+ who are receiving CMH services. The group began in 2015 with the dream of Peer Support Specialist, Stephanie. The main purpose of the art group is to explore a recovery oriented topic while using multimedia supplies in a creative fashion. When Stephanie left CMH, staff and group members felt that this group was very important, so Peer Support Specialist Kim Vandenberg and Supports Coordinator Danielle Hoover kept the group going.

Kim and Danielle explained that, “Our number one rule is that this is a judgment free zone”. This also applies to self-judgment. Group members encourage each other to use positive language about their own skills. Rather than saying that you are ‘bad’ at something, you can express that you are ‘learning’ it. Group members come in with varying skills and experiences with art. Some may not identify themselves as artists, but they feel that engaging with art is therapeutic.

Danielle and Kim also discussed the socialization and friendships members find in this group. Group members appreciate having a space to see their friends each week, and will sometimes plan to get lunch together before the meetings, or go to get-togethers outside of the group.

This group can also be a place to develop coping skills. Some members spend time in the group journaling, and continue journaling throughout the week at home. Other projects are able to be taken home for continued work as well. Some days staff will spend time leading a discussion during the group.

When asked about the group, Kim and Danielle said, “It’s nice to be able to finish out the week doing something creative and helping support people with their mental health and recovery. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend Friday”.

In November 2017, Washtenaw County residents voted two-to-one in favor of an eight-year millage that would generate $5 – $6 million per year for mental health and public safety improvements, beginning in January 2019.

Throughout 2018, the Community Mental Health Advisory Committee, launched by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, held community conversations to develop a plan for the best use of these funds. They recommended 11 mental health and public safety investments with four initial investments.

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is pleased to report:

1. Building capacity to support the whole community. WCCMH has recruited and trained new staff members, including peer support specialists, crisis service professionals, mental health professionals and more. These staff members are now supporting service expansions outside of the traditional WCCMH population, while bringing necessary expertise in community outreach, prevention programming, youth services, substance use services, crisis stabilization, and other areas.

2. Expanding services. WCCMH has dramatically expanded the scope of its 24/7 hotline, which provides crisis response services for all county residents. In May 2019 the CARES Team began to provide short-term stabilization services to county residents, as well–regardless of age, insurance, or ability to pay. New services go beyond Crisis response to include Access to mental health services, Resource connections, Engagement with community partners, and Support for a wide range of individual needs.

3. Rural delivery. Satellite locations have started to open in areas outside of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, like Whitmore Lake and Chelsea. These satellite locations provide treatment, mobile response vehicles, and crisis stabilization services to county residents, regardless of insurance. Through these and other activities, WCCMH hopes to significantly improve access to mental health services in the county’s rural communities.

4. Crisis Response. Along with the creation of the CARES Team, WCCMH plans to open a new crisis response location, adjacent to the existing Community Mental Health offices in Ypsilanti. This location will be open 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It will be able to serve up to five individuals in crisis at any given time, and provides a full range of observation, assessment, support, and stabilization services in a comfortable setting.

Future investments, as recommended by the Community Mental Health Advisory Committee, include community outreach programs, youth treatment and prevention services, substance use treatment and prevention programs, supportive housing services, and other supports.

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health served over 3000 individuals with a Serious Mental Illness in 2018. WCCMH has a dedicated team of case managers, peer supports and supervisors to help provide clinical support and services to support these individuals within our county. The MI clinical teams strive to provide normalization for people when they come into services with WCCMH. They can be scared when they come into services, and we try to provide them with some education about what they may be going through and tell them about our services. They partner with a case manager to talk more about their unique circumstances and needs. One thing is key, and this is the discussion of recovery in their initial meeting. Recovery looks different to everyone. It is important to begin your journey with a focus on your recovery. Talk about all of the parts of recovery, the ups and down, spirituality, natural supports and goal planning. CMH can be part of your recovery process. We will always be here to support you, but it does not need to be a permanent component of your recovery. There are many other parts of your life that play into your recovery.

One individual we worked with did not come to WCCMH in the typical manner. She came into contact with the WCCMH Crisis Team. She was calling the police a lot and because of our partnership with local law enforcement the police were asking the crisis team for help. This particular individual was paranoid and had a lot of delusions. WCCMH Access supervisor began a conversation and developed a relationship with her over the phone. Over time, the supervisor worked with her to consider CMH services. Countless conversations were had to help her think about who would be the best fit for her clinically before she even walked through our door. Case manager Tina Tisdale was identified. It was known that coming in for the typical assessment was not going to work for her. Access Crisis staff introduced her and Tina, and from that meeting she hass been an active participant at WCCMH.

There were struggles along the way, risk of losing her housing, keeping on task with paperwork and living with day to day challenges. Through it all, the relationship that she and Tina built led to many wonderful accomplishments. She now owns her home, had help from natural supports to help pay her mortgage and keeping her life on track. Tina and other WCCMH staff gave her consistency and helped keep her organized, and they were able to build a good and long standing relationship. Other positives include no further interaction with law enforcement, maintaining clinical and legal appointments, maintaining housing, and living an active life in the community.

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734.544.3050