Mental health getting attention
Today there are many more people, including policymakers, law enforcement and families, advocating for the need to prioritize mental health and substance use treatment services, especially those impacted by these illnesses. Services to prevent, treat and help Oklahomans recover from these illnesses are critical to the state's overall success. I know this to be true because I witness reallife examples of it daily.
Oklahoma leaders and policymakers have embraced these diseases as priority health concerns, and even during a difficult economic stretch have been finding ways to invest in targeted initiatives that are gaining traction. In fact, Oklahoma has made vast improvements in its statewide behavioral health system in recent years, and we are beginning to realize what that means for us as a state specifically. These include:
• Adding residential substance abuse treatment beds to virtually eliminate wait times for these services.
• Increasing the use of technology by 137% to improve access to treatment and care.
• Launching evidence-based strategies to curb epidemics like opioid addiction.
• Growing public-private partnerships that offer pathways to gainful employment and permanent housing opportunities.
• Enhancing supports offered to children and families through mobile crisis, school-based services and partnerships to better address veteran's needs.
Focusing on these strategies has led to more Oklahomans living full, productive lives.
We are quite proud of the progress made together; progress made possible through the partnership, commitment and shared goals of many people and groups.
There is heightened attention on mental health due to COVID, and there should be, although it is important to note that because of the shared commitments, the state is in a better place to address the stressors and strain brought on by the pandemic. We have not experienced the same level of negative trends talked about in other states, such as dramatically increasing suicide rates and overdose deaths. We are cautiously optimistic that we have the services in place to respond should this change. We are in this position because of past investments and prioritization of resources, and targeted use of funds to support our state's response.
While it is appropriate to advocate for need, we must not lose sight of the accomplishments and investments already made and still being made.
Oklahoma is in the process of building a model behavioral health system — one of the best in the nation. It will take continued collaboration and resources to achieve what the people need and deserve. Working together, we will succeed. That is how we have progressed to this point, and I am confident that together progress will continue.