It has never been more important than now to recognize the role mental health plays in our overall well-being and helping those in need receive support. Oakland County continues to invest tens of millions of dollars in resources for school mental health, learning delay, food and housing assistance, and wraparound services for students and their families in 2022.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Board of Commissioners Chairman David T. Woodward, joined by educators, students, and community leaders, highlighted how American Rescue Plan funds are bolstering the beginning of the new school year during a recent news conference at the Pontiac School District Administration Building:
“As our kids go back to school, I knew it was a priority to boost the funding that we’re giving to districts to help with the mental health challenges students are facing, as well as provide resources to address learning delay issues brought on by remote learning. With the COVID relief funding we got from the federal government in the last two years, we’ve been able to make critical and transformational investments.”
-Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter
The county is employing $5 million in American Rescue Plan funds for learning delay grants to be administered by United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Applications should be available by the end of September.
“We share a passion with Executive Coulter, commissioners, and the county to do everything possible to make sure families are more stable and that every child has opportunities to succeed in school and beyond. These funds are so important to make sure students have support in and out of the classroom, to prepare them for life. We are glad to support this effort towards addressing learning loss for students impacted by the pandemic.”
-Tonya Adair, Chief People, Equity, and Engagement Officer at United Way for Southeastern Michigan
The county is also utilizing more than $10 million ARP dollars to provide mental health professionals in schools for the second year in a row.
“The students of today have faced challenges most of us have never experienced. Districts across our region have seen the toll these past few years have taken on our children, and the positive impact an investment in mental health resources has on their success. We are grateful to the county for their commitment to this initiative.”
-Kelley Williams, Pontiac School District Superintendent
Finally, the county is investing more than $18 million in housing and food assistance for students and their families this year.
“Oakland County is proud to lead Michigan and lean in to make sure every student has the resources, support, and tools to succeed. Every dollar we invest in our students is a smart investment to create unprecedented opportunity for all – now, and long into the future.
-Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman David T. Woodward (District 19)
Mental Health Resources
The Oakland County Health Division has compiled a list of mental health support for families and individuals:
- Oakland County 24-Hour Crisis Helpline: Call or text 800-231-1127
- Michigan Crisis & Access Line: 1-844-446-4225
- Michigan Stay Well Program: 1-888-535-6136 and press “8.” (Free, confidential support related to emotional distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
- OK2SAY: Text 652729 or visit ok2say.state.mi.us (student and school safety line)
- The Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386 (providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.
Additional Resources to Call or Text
Crisis Services
Common Ground
24-hour resource/crisis helpline, confidential counseling and short-term psychiatric care
800-231-1127 – Resource and Crisis Helpline
Crisis Text Line
Available for mental health support. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.
Non-Crisis Services
Oakland County Health Network
Provides public mental health services to those who have an intellectual or developmental disability, mental health challenge, or substance use disorder. The majority of these individuals have Medicaid insurance coverage.
Access to services: 248-464-6363
CNS Healthcare
Mental health and substance use disorders services for children (7-17) and adults
800-615-0411
Easterseals Michigan
Youth and adult mental health services
800-395-9819
HAVEN
24-hour crisis/support line, counseling and support groups for those experiencing domestic violence/assault.
248-334-1274
MDHHS Warmline
Individuals calling the warmline will be provided with support by peers who have their own lived experience with mental health issues. They will be providing wellness supports and a listening ear.
The warmline will operated by Certified Peer Support Specialists seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. at 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753).
Oakland Family Services
Therapeutic treatment for children and adults with a diagnosed mental illness or issues related to substance use disorder
248-544-4004 – Berkley
248-858-7766 – Pontiac
248-853-0750 – Rochester Hills
248-624-3812 – Walled Lake
Oakland County works to ensure access to quality affordable health care, including mental health services, to improve health outcomes for all residents as part of the Healthy Residents goal in our five-year road map. Visit our dashboard to see the progress being made to mental health of community members, as measured by the percentage of young people who felt sad or hopeless in given time period.
Follow the Oakland County Executive Office on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about the investments Oakland County has made to aid residents with mental health resources. Stay connected with the Oakland County Health Division on Facebook and Twitter, and visit their website for additional health information and services.
Follow along with Oakland County on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, and YouTube using #OaklandCounty, or visit our website for news and events year-round.