State and local officials commemorate completion of new $383 million Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital

State-of-the-art hospital offers modernized treatment and therapy spaces, 
12 secure outdoor courtyards and leading-edge geothermal HVAC system 

LANSING, Mich. – State and local officials gathered today for an open house commemorating the completion of the new 264-bed Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital and the state’s continued focus on improving access to behavioral health care for Michigan families. 

Slated to begin accepting patients this fall, the new hospital will offer care for up to 192 adults and 72 youth, increasing the state’s capacity by 54 beds. The facility is being made possible due to $383.4 million in budget investments by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature.  

“Access to reliable, affordable behavioral health care is critical to the health and well-being of Michigan residents and communities,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Throughout my time as Governor, I have been committed to expanding access to care across the state. The new Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital increases patient care capacity and creates an additional 150 professional health care jobs. It will offer a healing environment where patients can receive treatment with dignity and hope.”

While the new psychiatric complex will serve all ages, the hospital features distinct facilities with separate living and programmatic spaces for children and adults. There are 198 single-bed suites with private bathrooms and 33 double rooms. A fully equipped studio apartment also offers the opportunity for independence training for adult patients. The hospital’s interior design features a Michigan wildflower theme and includes flowers indigenous to the state throughout the building, bringing Michigan’s natural beauty indoors to help create a calm, healing environment. 

The more than 400,000-square-foot facility features a gymnasium, art rooms and sensory spaces to support holistic care and 12 secure outdoor courtyards for recreational space. Modernized spaces for staff for treatment consultations, meetings and breakrooms are also featured in the new hospital, along with building access controls and video surveillance for enhanced patient safety. 

The complex includes shared administration and food service, allowing for budget savings, along with building management systems and a geothermal HVAC system designed to significantly enhance energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. Powered by 352 geothermal wells, this modern infrastructure is expected to reduce heating and cooling costs by approximately 40% compared to traditional HVAC systems, an estimated savings of about $168,000 a year. 

“We are excited to be able to provide this new state-of-the-art hospital in southeastern Michigan for families in need of inpatient, behavioral health care,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “This modern facility will expand access to quality, compassionate care for more children and adults in need of this level of care. The new facility continues efforts to ensure access to behavioral health care for Michigan families when they need it, where they need it and at the level of care they need.”  

The build was overseen by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). The construction manager for the project is Christman Company­, with design services provided by Integrated Design Solutions LLC.  

The complex includes shared administration and food service, allowing for budget savings, along with building management systems and a geothermal HVAC system designed to significantly enhance energy efficiency and long-term sustainability. Powered by 352 geothermal wells, this modern infrastructure is expected to reduce heating and cooling costs by approximately 40% compared to traditional HVAC systems, an estimated savings of about $168,000 a year. 

“We are excited to be able to provide this new state-of-the-art hospital in southeastern Michigan for families in need of inpatient, behavioral health care,” said Amy Epkey, MDHHS acting director. “This modern facility will expand access to quality, compassionate care for more children and adults in need of this level of care. The new facility continues efforts to ensure access to behavioral health care for Michigan families when they need it, where they need it and at the level of care they need.”  

The build was overseen by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB). The construction manager for the project is Christman Company­, with design services provided by Integrated Design Solutions LLC.  

“Partnering with MDHHS to bring the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital from its initial concept on paper to an actual state-of-the-art facility has been such a rewarding experience for the entire team at DTMB,” said Kyle Guerrant, DTMB acting director. “Today, we’re not just celebrating the progress we’ve made when it comes to designing, constructing and opening a new hospital, we’re recognizing the critical role the staff and caretakers within these walls will have in delivering behavioral health services and care to Michigan residents.”  

"Every Michigan family deserves to know that care will be there when a loved one needs it most," said State Budget Director Jen Flood. "This world-class facility adds beds and brings more Michiganders the high-quality care they deserve. It's a transformative investment in patient care that will serve families across Michigan for decades to come." 

It will replace Hawthorn Center, which opened in 1965 and was demolished to make way for the new hospital, and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital, which opened in 1979, and is slated to close after the new facility opens and patients are relocated.  

The State of Michigan currently operates four inpatient hospitals that serve nearly 600 patients. Caro Psychiatric Hospital and Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital serve adult patients and the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital serves both adults and youth in separate areas of the facility. The Center for Forensic Psychiatry provides diagnostic services to the criminal justice system and psychiatric treatment for criminal defendants adjudicated incompetent to stand trial or acquitted by not guilty by reason of insanity.  

Michigan's state hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission and authorized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and are committed to providing evidence-supported, person-centered inpatient care to individuals in an environment that values compassion, collaboration and community reintegration.  

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