Mercy Health Saint Mary’s and Network180 Partner on Behavioral Health Crisis Center

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s and Network180 have formalized a private-public partnership to create a Behavioral Health Crisis Center (BHCC) serving the West Michigan community. The BHCC will be located on Mercy Health Saint Mary’s campus in downtown Grand Rapids, with a goal of opening in late 2022. Individuals will be able to access services via a walk-in lobby —open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week — or through referral from other providers.

Since 2017, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s and Network180, along with other community stakeholders, recognized the need for a more comprehensive behavioral health crisis continuum in West Michigan. Governor Whitmer’s signing of House Bill 5832 in January 2021 authorized the creation of short-term behavioral health crisis stabilization units, similar to crisis units with proven success in other states, in the State of Michigan. This created an opportunity for Mercy Health Saint Mary’s and Network180 to forge a partnership and fill a gap in critically needed services.

The heart of the new BHCC will be a Crisis Stabilization Unit, which allows for rapidly accessible intensive treatment that can stabilize most behavioral health crises within 24 hours. Network180 will provide the behavioral health services and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s will provide medical services for the BHCC.

Historically, individuals in behavioral health crises in Kent County have not been able to promptly and consistently access care in appropriate treatment settings. As a result, they often end up in an Emergency Department, leading to heightened anxiety, poor outcomes, and high costs. The BHCC will integrate medical and laboratory services and serve as a central hub for accessing other crisis and follow up care. Leveraging both the unique functionality of the existing Network180 Access Center, the medical capabilities of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s, and the expertise of additional providers, community members in West Michigan seeking help for a mental health crisis will receive necessary behavioral health intervention at the same time medical needs are assessed. This model will dramatically reduce the delay in care that people in crisis often experience.

“This joint project brings a ‘no wrong door’ approach to behavioral health in West Michigan. We’ll be able to help someone in crisis no matter their income, insurance type, age, or veteran status,” says Bill Ward, Executive Director for Network180. “It’s been a need in our community for a long time and we look forward to working with Mercy Health Saint Mary’s to make it a reality.”

To assist in this collaboration, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s was awarded a Behavioral Health grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and Network180 received a Mental Health Block Grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

“Having a full range of crisis services is a necessity for our community, and the Behavioral Health Crisis Center represents an essential piece,” said Matt Biersack, MD, president of Mercy Health Saint Mary’s. “This partnership leverages the strengths of Network180 and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s to provide comprehensive services for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Having access to care of this kind is a great example of how partnerships can address key community needs, and we’re grateful for the support from other health systems and key stakeholders as we embark on this work.”

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About Network180:

Network180, Kent County’s Community Mental Health Authority, connects adults, youth, and families to an array of services, resources, and support for those experiencing mental illness, substance use issues, or an intellectual or developmental disability. Our Access Center is available 24-hours/day, 365-days/year at (616) 336-3909. Whether an individual seeks a long-term care solution or is experiencing an immediate crisis, our clinicians are available to help. In addition to direct services, Network180 partners with local agencies for additional community-based resources to provide a full continuum of care to individuals throughout Kent County. Visit www.Network180.org.

About Mercy Health


Mercy Health, a member of Trinity Health, is a regional, multi-campus, Catholic health care system serving West Michigan and the lakeshore with 3 hospital campuses, 736 hospital beds, and more than 8,000 colleagues, as well as hospice, home health and long-term care service offerings. Mercy Health has annual operating revenues of about $1.4 billion and returns about $80 million to its communities annually through charity care and community benefit programs. Mercy Health Physician Partners, a multi-specialty medical group, employs more than 960 physicians and advanced practice professionals in more than 80 physician offices in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Holland and along the West Michigan lakeshore. Mercy Health is committed to being a trusted health partner for life, transforming the communities we serve, by providing high-quality care that is the most accessible, compassionate and personalized in West Michigan. Visit us at MercyHealth.com.