Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

"The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is responsible for providing services to Oklahomans who are affected by mental illness and substance abuse.  In fiscal year 2008, the department provided services to 64,465 individuals – an increase of nearly 3,600 individuals over the previous year.

The demand for public mental health services exceeds the capacity of the current treatment system.This has always been the case, but has been exacerbated in recent years due to a growing public awareness of mental illness and of the existence of effective treatment; rising healthcare costs; and the state’s growing substance abuse problem, particularly the brain-damaging use of methamphetamine and resultant psychotic behavior.   

Through the use of proven practices and expansion of community based services, the department will increase the effectiveness of services and continue to improve the efficiency of the delivery system. The department’s goal is to ensure access to appropriate care for all Oklahomans and the recovery of all served."