State invests $17 million to fight mental health crisis

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Legislature and Governor Kevin Stitt moved this year on the largest ever state investment in mental health crisis services.

About $7.5 million of the $17 million will go toward adding new mental health crisis/urgent care centers across the state.

The funding addresses a range of issues, from a lack of crisis centers statewide to the need for mental health professionals to better assist law enforcement in the de-escalation of crisis situations.

“This investment in mental health crisis, and early intervention services, will have an immediate impact on Oklahoma,” said Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Carrie Slatton-Hodges.

Some of the money will go to a pilot project in five county jails that provides offenders with access to treatment for opioid and alcohol dependence.

“All the programs that received state funding are highly successful, evidence-based programs that will pay dividends for added quality of life, and taxpayer savings, for years to come,” said Slatton-Hodge.

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