Healthy Minds Policy Initiative

The solutions to Oklahoma's mental health challenges are no longer a mystery, and we're seeing remarkable progress and collaboration across our state. Thank you to all who attended Healthy Minds' first State of Mental Health event this week. The future of mental health is bright in Oklahoma.

What is the State of Mental Health in Oklahoma? It’s that we are poised to be a national leader in how we respond to our mental illness and substance use challenges. It’s not far-fetched: We have the foundation and momentum. Five years into Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, 860,000 Oklahoma lives have been impacted and $286M has been leveraged to change mental health in our state via policy and practice reforms. From legislative leadership to philanthropic and tribal investments, our state is rallying around this issue. And there is a roadmap for change we can continue to follow. Healthy Minds’ inaugural State of Mental Health Summit was a great success. It was truly an honor to have Thomas Insel MD, our keynote, detail his “path from mental illness to mental health” with a group of 200 leaders in our state. His comments lauding Oklahoma’s recent progress were a highlight of the day for me. And, getting to speak for a few minutes on the hard work of Healthy Minds and our partners was gratifying, to say the least. It was also inspiring to hear from passionate local leaders like Rachel C. Holt, J.D. with United Way of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s First Lady Sarah Stitt, Dr. Sara Coffey with Oklahoma State University, Commissioner Allie Friesen with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and JD Younger, police chief for City of Edmond. There’s more to be done, but we can rise to the challenge. Let’s get to it.

In ways big and small, mental health systems across our state are working better for Oklahomans than they did five years ago. Since 2019, Healthy Minds' policy efforts and community projects have impacted over 860,000 Oklahomans and helped secure $77.5 million in mental health system resources: https://lnkd.in/gEGCZ79F

Since Senate Bill 511 legalized harm reduction programs in 2021, organizations across Oklahoma have distributed more than 578,000 sterile syringes and 50,000 doses of naloxone — resulting in the reversal of at least 1,200 overdoses. In our newest publication, we explore the impact of SB 511, which is set to expire in 2026 unless lawmakers take action. https://bit.ly/3BLrLrR

Healthy Minds is #hiring a senior data analyst and program evaluator! This position can be based in either OKC or Tulsa. Apply to join our team making a difference in Oklahoma's mental health landscape ⬇️

Our primer on competency services in Oklahoma explains what it means for a person to be deemed "incompetent" in a criminal proceeding and how they can have their competency restored through treatment and education. https://bit.ly/4evVMd4

If mental health care access matters to you, this ProPublica story is essential reading. It lays bare the tragic consequences of ghost networks and the overwhelming control insurers have over mental health care, leaving those in pain to pay the highest price. "Ravi Coutinho bought a health insurance plan thinking it would deliver on its promise of access to mental health providers. But even after 21 phone calls and multiple hospitalizations, no one could find him a therapist."

We're delighted to welcome Sharita R. Thomas and Tane Webb to the Healthy Minds team! During a two-year fellowship, Sharita will focus on workforce development and integrated care, and Tane will focus on substance use policy.

Over the next four years, Edmond will receive nearly $4 million in federal funding to support youth mental health. We're thrilled to see how this award will build on Edmond's years of work to support residents' mental health needs 👏

An incredible opportunity to strengthen and coordinate children’s mental health services in Edmond. This is a great example of what happens when a community comes together with vision, data and planning. Healthy Minds Policy Initiative has been proud to support Edmond in a longstanding partnership! https://lnkd.in/gaJmJjpZ