The Oklahoma State Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse unveiled new initiatives and a mission challenging its old ways of addressing these crises.
2 News sat down with a mental health professional to get their reaction to the department’s announcement as it was happening.
“It makes no sense in my mind that we know exactly where to go if we are in a car accident and have a broken leg, but we have no clue where to go if we’re in a mental health crisis or a loved one in a mental health crisis,” said Commissioner Allie Friesen with ODMASAS.
The department is writing a new chapter in its story on, holding a news conference on World Mental Health Day.
“You will see nothing but brutal honesty from us, as Christina will let me be brutally honest, and you will see transparency and partnership,” said Friesen.
The new leadership addressed recent concerns while looking ahead. Friesen said it will take time to find their baseline and foundation before they can build from the ground up.
“What we need to focus on is growing horizontally connecting with others. It doesn’t matter if you are private or public or nonprofit, if you are serving the mental health or substance use community we need to be woven together in a more meaningful way,” said Friesen.