Mental Health
News Blog
Wana Ellison Named Red Rock Designee to Alliance of Mental Health Providers of Oklahoma Board of Directors
The Alliance of Mental Health Providers of Oklahoma announces that Dr. Wana Ellison, PsyD, LPC, LADC, Chief Executive Officer of Red Rock Behavioral Health Services, has been appointed as Red Rock’s new designee to the Alliance Board of Directors. Dr. Ellison is...
Join the Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council
The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) has opened applications for the Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council (OYAC), a statewide program that brings high school students into direct conversation with state government. The council, composed of students from...
Mullin Bill Signed Into Law, Strengthens the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Federal Law Enacted to Strengthen 988 Suicide and Crisis LifelineU.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK), 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act has been signed into law through the SUPPORT for Patients and Communications Reauthorization Act of 2025.Congress...
Rosecrants conducts Mental Health and Managed Care Interim Study
OKLAHOMA CITY – Monday, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, conducted an interim study on Mental Health and Managed Care that explored what the legislature can do to make Oklahoma a better place for healthcare for those in need. The study was heard by the Appropriations...
Norman Delegation Comments on Transition of HUB 107 Services
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following joint statement after the announcement of HUB 107 being consolidated into the Alameda location of Central...
Important Message: World Mental Health Day
On World Mental Health Day, we wanted to share Sasha Teel's important message, posted earlier today on LinkedIn, about the stark realities of the public mental health system in Oklahoma. Teel is a Principal with HB Strategies and the designated lobbyist for the...
Community Behavioral Health Clinics Lead the Fight Against Addiction and Overdose in Oklahoma
August 26, 2025 OVERDOSE AWARENESS WEEK Community Behavioral Health Clinics Lead the Fight Against Addiction and Overdose in OklahomaCCBHCs LEAD FIGHT AGAINST OVERDOSE in OKLAHOMAWith nearly 20 years of experience in Oklahoma government affairs, Sasha brings deep...
Alliance of Mental Health Providers of Oklahoma Names Sasha Teel as Lobbyist
AUGUST 15, 2025 ALLIANCE NAMES TEEL LOBBYIST The Alliance of Mental Health Providers of Oklahoma is the state’s largest network of mental health providers.Stay in Touch Subscribe: Mental Health News A weekly roundup of the mental health news impacting Oklahomans....
FCC Adopts Rules Requiring Georouting for Texts to 988
Will Support Industry Efforts to Efficiently Implement 988 Text Georouting Capabilities While Protecting Customer Privacy WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025—The Federal Communications Commission today approved rules that will require wireless providers to implement georouting...
Solitary Drinking: The Hidden Crisis (Oklahoma Stats)
What Is Solitary Drinking? A new study highlights the crisis of solitary drinking in the United States. The following data from the study is for Oklahoma. Solitary drinking refers to consuming alcohol alone, typically to cope with stress, anxiety, loneliness, or...
Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline Marks Three Years: Thousands of Lives Impacted
178,000 Oklahomans served by 988 in three years.This month marks the third anniversary of Oklahoma’s launch of 988, the state’s simple, three-digit mental health lifeline. Since going live, the service has helped connect more than 178,000 Oklahomans to prompt,...
Creek County’s collaborative approach transforms opioid crisis response
Creek County Leaders Fight Opioid Crisis TogetherIn Creek County, a $300,000 opioid abatement grant has sparked something unprecedented: five separate organizations working as one unified force to combat the county's devastating opioid crisis. "Creek County is in the...
Oklahoma Ranks Near the Bottom in New Commonwealth Fund Healthcare Report
Holdenville, Oklahoma | Rural Hughes CountyCommonwealth Fund’s 2025 State Health System Performance ScorecardA troubling new reality check has landed in the form of the Commonwealth Fund’s 2025 State Health System Performance Scorecard. Oklahoma finds itself nearly...
Rising Oklahoma Cocaine Crisis: What the 2024 Drug Threat Assessment Reveals
Oklahoma's Rising Cocaine Crisis: What the 2024 Drug Threat Assessment RevealsThis week, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) released its 2024 Drug Threat Assessment, a sobering 89-page report that paints a troubling picture of the evolving...
Plan for Level I Trauma Center in Eastern Oklahoma Moves Forward
WHY IT MATTERS TO OKLAHOMAWhy It Matters for Oklahomans Faster, coordinated emergency response Saint Francis will serve as the primary destination for the region’s most serious emergencies, improving outcomes through rapid trauma care. Specialists’ available 24/7...
Drummond pushes for federal commitment to combat youth substance abuse
Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act IN MOTIONAttorney General Gentner Drummond joined a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general calling on Congress to pass legislation that would directly impact Oklahoma youth vulnerable to substance abuse.DRUMMOND ...
Governor Stitt names Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic as Interim Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Governor Stitt names Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic as Interim Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicesToday, Governor Kevin Stitt named Retired Rear Admiral Gregory Slavonic as Interim Commissioner of the Oklahoma...
Mullin, Sinema Introduce Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Mullin introduces bill to strengthen cybersecurity of 988 Suicide LifelineU.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) introduced the 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act to strengthen the cybersecurity protocols at the 988 Suicide &...
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
619 N Main Street
Muskogee, OK 74401
Phone
(405) 352-0565