Mental Health
News Blog
Effects of Harm Reduction Programs Studied in House Public Health
Interim Study: Effects of Harm Reduction ProgramsThe House Public Health Committee heard from advocates for harm reduction supporting an extension of a law passed in 2021 to legalize needle exchange programs in an interim study Thursday.Official News ReleaseOKLAHOMA...
ODMHSAS to Announce New Vision and Mission on World Mental Health Day
ODMHSAS to unveil new vision, mission, and strategic planIn recognition of World Mental Health Day, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) will hold a press conference to unveil the agency's new vision, mission, and strategic...
Carrie Blumert Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Association Oklahoma
OK County Commissioner Blumert Appointed CEO of MHAOKMental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) has named government and community leader Carrie Blumert as Chief Executive Officer. A native Oklahoman, Carrie has spent her life and career supporting individuals with...
Dr. Beaman Takes Helm as New Chief Medical Officer for Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Beaman is New CMO for Oklahoma Mental Health AgencyThe Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) has appointed Dr. Jason Beaman as its new Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Beaman brings extensive experience in psychiatry, family medicine,...
September Recognized as Suicide Prevention and Recovery Awareness Month
September Recognized as Suicide Prevention and Recovery Awareness MonthIn recognition of National Suicide Prevention and Recovery Awareness Month this September, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is committed to advancing...
Alliance Endorses Boatman for Oklahoma Senate District 25
Alliance ENDORSES BOATMAN for Oklahoma SD 25 Jeff Boatman has been a tireless mental health advocate and arguably the most influential legislator on mental health and substance abuse issues who is currently serving in the Oklahoma legislature. In a rare move, the...
SAMHSA Adds 10 New States to CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program
SAMHSA Adds 10 New States to CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gave HHS the authority to add 10 states to the CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration program every two years, starting with the 10 being announced today.SAMHSA Expands Access...
Report: 3 Million People Now Served by Innovative Model of Care
CCBHCs continue to improve access to mental health and substance use treatment SAMHSA Expands Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Services with Addition of 10 New States to CCBHC Medicaid Demonstration Program SOURCE: The National Council WASHINGTON, DC (June 4,...
OKC forms Crisis Intervention Advisory Group (CIAG) to improve mental health crisis response citywide
A Crisis Intervention Advisory Group (CIAG) has been formed to ensure best practices are used during encounters between police and residents experiencing a mental health crisis. The CIAG has started meeting on a quarterly basis. “We formed this group to ensure the...
Oklahoma Governor Signs Bill Creating Mental Health Workforce Pilot Program
OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure establishing a pathway to fund a pilot program designed to expand opportunities to invest in Oklahoma's mental health workforce has been signed into law. House Bill 3449, authored by Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, modifies the Oklahoma State...
2024 Mental Health Month Proclamation | Governor Stitt
Executive Department Proclamation for Mental Health MonthThe WhereasesWhereas, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being; it affects how we think, feel, and act; it also affects how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices;...
April is Alcohol Awareness Month
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase your knowledge about alcohol use disorder (AUD) and the adverse impact of alcohol misuse on health and society. Alcohol-related problems continue to take a heavy toll on individuals, families, and...
Historic Groundbreaking Scheduled for Oklahoma’s Largest Mental Health Hospital
Historic Groundbreaking Scheduled for Oklahoma’s Largest Mental Health HospitalThe Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is pleased to invite you to the groundbreaking ceremony of The Donahue, a new mental health hospital that...
HHS Crisis Resources for Oklahoma
HHS Crisis Resources for OklahomaIn response to the death of Nex Benedict, a non-binary/two-spirit student in Owasso, Oklahoma, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has compiled resources related to mental health and youth crisis services, tools for...
Senators Kaine and Schatz Introduce Bill to Prevent Youth Suicide
A new bill aimed at preventing youth suicide is on the table in the Senate. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) co-introduced the Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act with Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) to target the second leading cause of death for people between...
Senator Weaver’s Bill to Combat Fentanyl Manufacturing Unanimously Passes Senate Public Safety Committee
Senator Weaver's Bill to Combat Fentanyl Manufacturing Unanimously Passes Senate Public Safety CommitteeSenator Darrell Weaver's proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1280, aimed at addressing the alarming rise in fentanyl-related incidents, took a significant stride...
Governor Kevin Stitt Announces Receipt of Highly Anticipated Oklahoma Jails Report
Governor Stitt Receives Modernized Operations through Data and Evidence-based Restoration Now (MODERN) Justice Task Force ReportA diverse group of stakeholders have released a report featuring the intensive review of Oklahoma’s jails. It provides 15 policy...
Oklahoma Voter Statistics: Nearly 2.3 Million+ Registered Voters (2024)
Annual Voter Registration Report Reveals Steady Growth(Oklahoma City) – The Oklahoma State Election Board has released its annual voter registration report showing 2,301,188 registered voters in Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s official voter registration statistics are counted...
Oklahomans are in desperate need of mental health care.
Oklahoma ranks third in the nation for rates of mental illness and second in the nation for substance abuse disorders. Nearly 1 million adult Oklahomans need services; most are not receiving the care they need to fully recover from their illnesses.

High Rates of Mental Illness
Oklahoma has some of the highest rates for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders. According to a report from Mental Health America, Oklahoma ranks fifth in the nation for rates of “Any Mental Illness”.
$113 Billion
High Rate of Poverty
Address
4400 N. Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone
(405) 352-0565