Amid concerns over the state of mental health services in Oklahoma, Senate and House Democratic leaders are taking a stand against the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) regarding recent service cuts and failure to meet the requirements of a consent decree.
Sen. Julia Kirt and Rep. Cyndi Munson have expressed their discontent with the ODMHSAS as outlined in their statements highlighting the severity of the cuts; these have resulted in 300 canceled service contracts and neglected mandatory actions for individuals in jail awaiting competency restoration. "Right now, people are stuck in jail because they’re waiting for mental health treatment. That means victims don’t get justice quickly, and people who are accused don’t get treated fairly. That’s not okay. We need to put more money into programs that actually help. When we don’t fund mental health services in our communities, the problems just get worse. But instead of adding help, the Department of Mental Health cut 300 service contracts. Even worse, many of the contracts are for programs that stop people from reaching a crisis," Kirt informed the Oklahoma Senate.
The leaders warn that the current path could lead to more individuals being hospitalized or incarcerated, Munson added, "Providers across the state, some who have been operating for decades, are being forced to consider closing their doors or cut treatment and prevention services. Mental health is already severely underfunded in Oklahoma, and forcing more cuts to care will cause harm to Oklahomans," stating the urgency for an increased budget to maintain critical services, as she told the Oklahoma Senate.
The lawmakers are advocating for a strategic approach to the ODMHSAS budget, highlighting the looming deadline for the agency to present its financial plans. They argue that a well-formulated budget could help address the gaps in mental health services in Oklahoma, potentially alleviating the cost and impact on communities. As the deadline approaches, they urge immediate action from the department to reflect the true scale of need.
