ANN ARBOR – On Monday, July 17th, the Superior Township Board of Trustees voted to approve the Garrett’s Space rezoning request and area plan application for 3900 North Dixboro Road in Superior Township. In light of the Township’s approval, Garrett’s Space plans to acquire the 76-acre property and move forward with its plans to use the property to provide holistically focused day and residential programming for young adults ages 18-28 struggling with anxiety and depression.
Julie and Scott Halpert founded Garrett’s Space in 2019 after losing their son Garrett to suicide two years earlier when he was 23 years old. “When Garrett was struggling we couldn’t find effective supplemental support options that we believe could have made a lasting difference for Garrett or that he would have wanted to try,” said Scott Halpert. “We created Garrett’s Space to help fill this void in our healthcare system for other young adults struggling with their mental health.”
Mental health issues are widespread among young people in our country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth ages 15-24, and for every suicide death among young people, there are an estimated 100 to 200 suicide attempts. Additionally, two recent national surveys found that 70% of young adults ages 18-24 reported being moderately to severely depressed.
Garrett’s Space currently provides Wellness Programming as a supplement to individual therapy and psychiatric intervention. The programming offers young adults the opportunity to join one of three weekly virtual groups led by professional facilitators for peer connection and mood and movement activities. There is no cost to attend the group and participants are staying an average of 6.8 months.
“There’s really no right answer to mental health. Garrett’s Space has proven to me that there is no feeling I need to be ashamed of. There are incredible people my age, working towards the same things I am, feeling the same things I am, no matter how dark,” said a Garrett’s Space wellness group participant (quoted with permission). “Life is meant to be shared, and of all things, love is the prize. Garrett’s Space runs on love.”
The approved rezoning gives Garrett’s Space the green light to create its residential program at the site. This unique program will provide what young people need most – connections, improved self-worth, coping strategies to get through challenging times, and hope that things can get better. The property setting is critical for the success of the residence; rather than a sterile institutional environment, participants will be surrounded by nature and its healing properties.
The planned residential model will provide three to four week residential stays where participants will experience a warm community of peers and caring staff, gain critical connections, participate in facilitated support groups with other young adults and engage in mood lifting group activities like yoga, cooking, art, music, gardening, journaling and exercise.
Garrett’s Space intends for both its wellness programming and residential center to be models that can be replicated nationwide to help address the major public health crisis our young adults are experiencing.
“We are so grateful that the Township Trustees realized the value that we will bring to this community,” said Julie Halpert. “We are excited at the prospect of this desperately needed new mental health resource becoming a reality.”
To learn more about Garrett’s Space, visit our website. To get help for yourself or someone else:
- ● For yourself, a friend, or family member please contact Peggy Galimberti (peggy@garrettsspace.org or 734.212.6890).
- ● Providers, please complete this referral form or contact Peggy Galimberti (peggy@garrettsspace.org or 734.212.6890) if you have questions.
About Garrett’s Space
Garrett’s Space is a suicide prevention nonprofit dedicated to addressing gaps in treatment for young adults experiencing distress due to mental health challenges. We are working to reduce suicides in young adults by providing programming and a holistically focused center that promotes wellness, healing, self-worth and resilience.
