Oklahoma House Bill HB1997

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Pilot program for mental health symptoms; pilot program by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; purpose; appropriations amount; source; effective date; emergency.

Impact

The introduction of this pilot program is significant as it seeks to address the growing mental health crisis by creating an accessible treatment environment. With an allocation of $25 million from the General Revenue Fund, the program will facilitate the establishment of facilities equipped with necessary resources, including professional staff such as psychiatric nurses, therapists, and substance abuse counselors. The program also aims to gather data on mental health needs and service availability to optimize resource allocation across the community.

Summary

House Bill 1997 aims to establish a pilot program focused on providing comprehensive mental health treatment services in Oklahoma. This initiative is implemented by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, targeting lower-income communities with limited access to mental health resources. The program will introduce a facility that operates 24/7, offering assessments, psychiatric evaluations, therapy, counseling, and medication monitoring to individuals experiencing symptoms of mental illness. The intent is to provide immediate support and reduce the need for psychiatric hospitalization.

Contention

Although the bill's goal is to improve mental health services, there may be discussions surrounding its implementation and funding. Potential points of contention could include the adequacy of the proposed budget, the effectiveness of the pilot program in genuinely addressing community needs, and concerns about the potential stigmatization of those seeking mental health support. Additionally, building effective partnerships for outreach and education will be crucial to the program's overall success.