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Study finds Northern Michigan has tough time getting access to mental health resources

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A recent study found that 1.76 million people in Michigan have a mental health illness, but 38 percent of those affected don’t get treatment. Officials said one of the big problems for those in Northern Michigan is finding a mental health professional.

According to the study, the following 9 counties don’t have behavioral health clinics to psychiatrists:

 

Oceana

Newaygo

Osceola

Clare

Gladwin

Roscommon

Iosco

Kalkaska

Cheboygan

 

Another 7 counties don’t have access to psychologists or psychiatrists:

Presque Isle

Antrim

Oscoda

Alcona

Ogenew

Missaukee

Lake

 

The study found that 666,000 people experience a mental illness in Michigan and don’t receive treatment. 

 

Altarum Institute is a nonprofit that conducted the study. Researcher, Corey Rhyan said many barriers prevent people from getting treatment, but two key factors are a shortage of providers and the affordability of care.

 

“We looked at different barriers to access including not having access to providers, not having access to  adequate coverage or an inability to afford care and a variety of other things that might be driving limitations or the inability to receive care.”

 

Rhyan says if Michigan could raise the rates of care for all locations to the level of regions with the best access, another 236,000 people could receive treatment.

 

To view the full study click here.