Michigan Awarded Crisis Service Expansion Contracts
The state has contracted Common Ground to scale mental health resources following a surge in demand.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has awarded new contracts to expand crisis services provided by the Oakland County-based nonprofit Common Ground. The organization will also serve as a national backup for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Why it matters
The expansion addresses a significant rise in mental health needs, as Common Ground reports a 10 to 15 percent annual increase in call volume. The initiative aims to bolster support systems for residents struggling with crisis situations.
In 2025, Common Ground helped over 200,000 individuals and answered 26,500 calls, averaging 70 calls per day. The organization also deployed more than 200 crisis teams across Genesee and Oakland counties.
The players
Common Ground
This Oakland County-based nonprofit organization provides mental health crisis services, peer support, and specialized hotlines.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
This state agency oversees health and social services and provided the funding for the new crisis service contracts.
The details
Common Ground provides support through peer staffing and anonymous hotlines, including specialized services for first responders and their families via the Frontline Strong Together program. The new contracts will allow the nonprofit to scale these intervention efforts to meet growing service demands across Michigan.
Timeline
Common Ground helped over 200,000 people in crisis throughout 2025.
The nonprofit is scheduled to host its annual Celebration of Hope Gala on October 16, 2026.
The Big Picture
This initiative follows a pattern set by the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by formalizing the role of regional nonprofits in providing national-level emergency mental health backup. It highlights a shift toward integrating specialized local providers into a broader, interconnected crisis response architecture.
Residents across the state will gain improved access to crisis intervention and anonymous mental health support. These services offer direct assistance for those in immediate distress, including specialized programs for first responders and their families.
The takeaway
The increased investment in mental health infrastructure reflects the growing need for accessible, anonymous crisis support in Michigan. Individuals seeking assistance should utilize available hotlines to connect with peer-staffed services immediately when in distress.
What happens next
Common Ground will host its annual Celebration of Hope Gala on October 16, 2026, at the Troy Marriott.
Further reading
Learn more about local support networks on the Michigan Substance Abuse section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WEYI.
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