Wayne County veterans who benefit from mental health services should be among the biggest winners now that a major provider of such services has attained an important new certification.

Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN), the largest community mental health agency in Michigan, recently earned full certification as a CCBHC (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

The certification took effect on January 1, 2025.

An organization certified as CCBHC places an emphasis on 24/7/365 crisis response services, such as mobile crisis services. Other core services include person- and family-centered outpatient mental health and substance abuse services, as well as outpatient clinic primary care screenings for health concerns.

Chris Brown, a veteran who now serves as DWIHN’s veteran navigator, said the CCBHC demonstrates how well the organization is positioned to support veterans. In addition to services that address common issues for veterans – such as mobile crisis services – each CCBHC arranges for peer support, which means a veteran can receive support from someone who is both certified and familiar with the life experiences of many veterans.

“They will be connected with someone, a veteran peer support specialist, who has experience dealing with trauma – whether it be from combat or something that happened before or after their service,” Brown said.

Brown stressed that many civilians don’t realize how different military culture is – not just in times of war but in times of peace. Those who serve live lives that are “a lot more controlled” than someone who’s not in the military. He added that trauma can occur at any time – from combat, a bad work situation, family trauma and more.

While services to veterans are critical, they part of a much larger picture that serves a broad range of Detroit and Wayne County residents in need of mental health support, including coordinated outpatient mental health and substance use services such as crisis care.

Organizations certified as CCBHC help to implement federal measures related to providing behavioral healthcare, regardless of a member’s ability to pay.

“By expanding the state’s CCBHC model to include DWIHN along with several of our network providers, DWIHN is poised to transform Michigan's behavioral healthcare system to be more equitable, accessible and accountable to the people we serve throughout Wayne County,” said James E. White, DWIHN’s president and CEO.

Additionally, it allows for services to be offered to a population with mild to moderate behavioral health concerns, said Vice President of Clinical Services Ebony Reynolds.

“This is new for us,” she added.

Brown wants veterans to know DWIHN is able to help them even if they have a wide variety of needs. Some might be in the midst of a crisis, while others may need ongoing care such as medication management or general mental health treatment.

CCBHCs ask every member if they have any military service, and link all veterans to the veteran navigator, who helps connect veterans and their families to federal, state and local resources. The goal is to ease issues regarding mental health, substance use, housing and other common issues that impact veterans to support healthier lifestyles, reduced stressors and lower stigma regarding receiving such care.

Brown understands all this well, having served four years in the U.S. Army in the 1980s. He also has a master’s degree in social work from University of Michigan, and many decades of experience assisting veterans in various ways.

“I’ve done everything from housing repairs to taking people to a dental appointment,” Brown said.

He stressed that every navigator is a little different, and he enjoys helping in any way he can.

If the veteran is not enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration, DWIHN will assist in the application process for VHA services, and will continue to provide services throughout the duration of the veteran's application process – even prior to application approval.

Veterans who are declined or are ineligible for VHA services will be able to continue with the care they are receiving from their CCBHC – in this case, DWIHN.

Brown said there’s still a strong stigma surrounding mental health in the military, which also makes it difficult for some vets to get the help they need.

“It’s a battle to get them to go to therapy,” Brown said. “But if you can accept it, you can start the healing process. It’s not a weakness – you’ve experienced something that literally changed your brain.”

According to Brown, there are 400-500 veterans who are “missing”, meaning those who have reached out for help at some point through various agencies in the area but never followed up. Brown hopes that more providers become more active and aware of the veteran population that comes through their offices, so they can be directed to the appropriate resource for help.

“Getting the word out – it’s the biggest thing since I’ve been doing this job,” Brown said. “We’re trying to be more community-connected so we know one another.”

For more information on services for veterans, you can contact Brown directly at cbrown@dwihn.org. For more information on DWIHN and its programs, download the myDWIHN mobile app, visit www.dwihn.org or contact the organization’s 24/7 Access Helpline, 800-241-4949.