'Scary': Former patient worried for the future of mental health services
Apr 14, 2025
Local mental health services are in a state of flux after Grand Mental Health, Family and Children Services, and CREOKS were notified that their contracts with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service
s (ODMHSAS) would end on May 10.Dustin Bailey, a former client of Grand Mental Healths Addiction Recovery Center, expressed concern for his community. "A community is only as good as the way they treat their most underserved," he said. 'Scary': Former patient worried for the future of mental health servicesBailey, who successfully completed his treatment program, now seeks to give back. Given the opportunity to hopefully impact somebody's life, including mine, he remarked.But the potential loss of services has left community members anxious. Grand Mental Healths CEO indicated that the closure would significantly affect access to care. "We're going to have to look for different ways for them to receive care," the CEO said.Previous Coverage>>>3 major Tulsa mental health services face funding cutsThe unexpected announcement has raised alarms among local advocates. "Scary. Tulsa has an amazing recovery community, and it's all centered around that this campus exists," Bailey noted. Without that presence, a lot of people are scared for their loved ones, their family members, their friends.However, on Friday, ODMHSAS clarified that a miscommunication occurred regarding the contract termination dates; services will now continue until the end of June.In response to inquiries about the situation, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) has not provided a comment, while ODMHSAS stated they cannot discuss the matter further.Governor Kevin Stitt addressed the situation, emphasizing that the state is not cutting mental health programs completely. Instead, he explained that they are reallocating what he described as $800 million towards more "cost-efficient" programs.For Bailey, the stakes are high. "The ability to get treatment the moment you make the decision that you want to get treatment is critical in saving lives, he said. The inability to do it will ultimately cost somebody their life."As the situation unfolds, many Tulsa residents hope swift action will preserve access to crucial mental health services.Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere -- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices. Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube ...read more read less