Woodlands BHN

10/31/2025

Many of our community members are currently navigating some very challenging circumstances due to the ongoing government shutdown and the disruption of SNAP benefits.

These developments are likely to increase food insecurity for many of the individuals and families we serve.

In response to help support those in need WBHN has compiled a list of local resources within in Cass County. Please share this information with anyone who may benefit:

ACTION Ministries – Dowagiac
Cassopolis First Church of God – Compassionate Cupboard
Calvin Center SDA Church – Cassopolis
Church of Cassopolis
Edwardsburg Food Pantry (Our Lady of the Lake Church)
Helping Hands of Cass County – Cassopolis
Neighbor 2 Neighbor Ministry – Berrien Springs
Intercare Community Health Network (WIC) – Dowagiac
St. Francis Outreach (Holy Maternity of Mary Parish) – Dowagiac
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Dowagiac
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Cassopolis
Salvation Army – Niles
Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency – Cassopolis
Vandalia Church of God

10/24/2025

We have shared several articles regarding the massive changes to Michigan's behavioral health system that MDHHS is proposing.

On September 17, the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) and its allies held a press conference and well rally on the Capitol steps. The press conference resulted in strong media coverage; the rally drew over 3,000 attendees.

These two events underscored the opposition, by Michiganders across the state, to the MDHHS proposal to bid out the management of Michigan’s public mental health system.

Three videos, below, highlight several of the speakers at that press conference.

Senator Stabenow and Representative Rheingans at press conference in opposition to MDHHS bid out proposal: https://vimeo.com/1121988990/07f17a65c6?share=copy

Emily White at press conference in opposition to MDHHS bid out proposal: https://vimeo.com/1121903427/e7c5074570

Labor leadership at press conference in opposition to MDHHS bid out proposal: https://vimeo.com/1121671023/84751bb17b

This is "CMHA_Press Conference_Vid1_v1" by Lambert on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

10/23/2025

As the federal government shutdown continues, there is an increasing possibility that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be delayed in November. Many Cass County residents rely on these benefits to help feed themselves and their families.

Below is a list of food pantries located throughout Cass County. These resources are available for residents who may be in need of food assistance, and for those who wish to support local hunger relief efforts.

Please note: We encourage the public to list any additional services or efforts that were not listed here in the comments!

EDIT: Salvation Army is now located at 1707 Miller Drive.

10/15/2025

Yesterday, Oct 14, the judge in the Michigan Court of Claims ruled on a lawsuit brought by Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health and others against the state. MDHHS and the State of Michigan are seeking to make major changes to our behavioral health system. Read the attached article, as well as the one linked in the comments, for more information on what this could mean for clients of the state's community mental health agencies.

As always, we thank Watershed Voice for their continued spotlight on all things mental and behavioral health related in the state of Michigan.

Judge Christopher P. Yates wrote in his October 14 opinion that while the changes “may seem unwise,” nothing in state law prevents the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) from implementing them. If the state proceeds as planned, the 10 existing PIHP (prepaid inpatient health...

10/02/2025

A great overview of last week's Southwest Michigan Opioid Summit!

10/01/2025

Advocating for mental health doesn’t require a title or a big platform. This resource from Mental Health America offers simple, effective ways to speak up for mental health at work, in schools, in your community, and from home.

10/01/2025

If you've stopped into our M-60 building we're certain you've been greeted by Beth! Help us wish her the best as she retires from Woodlands after 13 dedicated years!

09/25/2025

Thank you to Watershed Voice for this piece on the local impact of the state's proposed changes to our behavioral health system.

The plan would consolidate the state’s 10 Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs) into just three super-regions. “I worry our clients will just become numbers in a system,” says Amy Davidhizar, provider network manager at Woodlands Behavioral Healthcare Network in Cass County. “We’ve built ...

09/22/2025

Our own E.J. McAndrew was on WNDU over the weekend promoting the Southwest Michigan Opioid Summit planned for this coming Thursday at Southwestern Michigan College!

It’s time to discuss an event that addresses a major public health emergency.

09/18/2025

Recovery and Su***de Prevention Month event is happening now until 1pm! We'd love for you to stop out and visit!

09/11/2025

Tonight 24 years ago, 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.

2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.

343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.

60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.

8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift.

It was the last day that fathers and mothers hugged their children, husbands kissed their wife, girlfriends hugged and kissed their boyfriend.

None of them saw past 10:00AM on September 11, 2001. In one single moment life may never be the same, so live and enjoy the breaths you take today.

And tonight, before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, hug your kids, kiss your significant other, and let go of what’s bothering you because it’s really not that bad in the grand perspective of this thing we call 'life.'

Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Do good things.

And most important of all, be kind to one another, not just tomorrow but always.

Never take one second of your life for granted. 🇺🇲 Thoughts and Prayers to all those who were affected on 9/11/2001