About Us
Michigan Minds is a resource hub for young people experiencing early psychosis–a type of mental health challenge characterized by changes in thinking, emotions, and sensory perceptions.
We promote early intervention and recovery by connecting young people & their families to Michigan’s statewide coordinated specialty care programs (CSC), known as NAVIGATE and ACT Early teams.
Our Mission
Our mission is to make it easier for teens & young adults across Michigan to get quality information and quick connection to support for early psychosis.
Our History
In 2008, the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) study was a large-scale research initiative led by the National Institute of Mental Health that set out to understand the best ways to help people recovery from early psychosis, and improve both short and longer-term health and well-being for young people.
In 34 clinical sites across 21 states, RAISE tested coordinated specialty care, a recovery-oriented practice focused on rapid access to care and shared decision making among participants, their families and the care team. One of those very first specialty care sites was NAVIGATE in Lansing, led by Catherine Adams, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC. As a NAVIGATE clinical trainer and consultant, Ms. Adams has been instrumental in growing coordinated specialty care in Michigan.
By 2014, the RAISE study had demonstrated that it was possible to implement coordinated specialty care programs in community-based settings in the U.S., and is now considered the gold standard of care for early psychosis by the American Psychiatric Association.
In 2017, Michigan Minds Empowered was launched as an education and resource hub for young people, their families, and community partners across the state. In 2025, the website was rebranded to Michigan Minds. Our goal is to empower people to seek support, get back to the things that matter to them, and know they are not alone.
Meet The Team
Meet our team of passionate professionals who make coordinated specialty care in Michigan possible.
In addition to this group responsible for statewide efforts, our local clinical NAVIGATE and ACT Early team team members can be found on our Find Support page.
Anne Ellermets, MPA
Contract Manager Planner
Catherine Adams, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC
NAVIGATE/ETCH Lead Consultant and Trainer
Brandon Goeman, LMSW
NAVIGATE/ETCH Consultant and Trainer
Scott Palazzolo, LMSW
NAVIGATE/ETCH Consultant and Trainer
Michelle Earhart, LMSW
NAVIGATE/ETCH Consultant and Trainer
Elizabeth Fisher, MSW
ETCH Program Coordinator
Kayla Tracey, BS
A huge thank you to the program participants, family members, team members, Strong365 & Lipp Studios who partnered together to develop and launch Michigan Minds Empowered, now Michigan Minds.
Core Principles
Our teams are committed to creating collaborative environments where young people direct decisions about their own care, and learn how to draw on their own strengths to grow resilience. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality care, and we strive to ensure a sense of belonging and mutual support among our community of participants and families.
Dignity
Hope
Compassion
Belonging
Resilience
Wellbeing
What We Believe
We believe that every person facing a mental health challenge can access inner strength and wellbeing, so we created a space where we could do just that – connect, learn and draw inspiration from one another.
We understand the power of asking for help because it has changed our own lives. But we also understand that no one journey looks the same.
We’re here to help you find a path to wellness that works for you.
Make A Referral Or Request Information
Fill out the form below to be connected to your nearest coordinated specialty care team. In addition to using this form to start the referral process for a young person, you can also use it to ask us anything about our services or psychosis, or request an educational presentation and/or materials for your Michigan-based organization.
A care team member will respond within 2 business days.