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Mental Health Related
• Is mental illness a widespread problem?Once considered out of the purview of public health and prevention,
mental and addictive disorders now must be considered as significant
contributors to population-based disease, disability and death. A
recent report specific to Oklahoma, the State
of the State's Health 2003 Interim Report, Mental and Addictive
Disorders, points to mental and addictive disorders as imposing
an alarming burden of disability on our citizenry. In addition to
the direct affects of the disease process, these illnesses also
significantly increase the risk for several chronic health conditions
and unintentional injuries; and, these illnesses can play a key role in
suicide, child neglect and abuse, homelessness, divorce, unemployment,
school drop out, unwanted pregnancies, and incarceration. In
fact, a 2003 report by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services shows Oklahoma, in
comparison with other States, as having the highest rate of serious
mental illness among adults (18 years and older). The impact on the
overall health status of Oklahomans, and the disproportionate burden of
these disorders on the public health and the State's health care
systems, is clearly evident. • What are some signs that a family member or I might need mental health treatment?In a child, some key causes for parents' concern are speech or language difficulties, temper tantrums, hyperactivity, delayed development, poor peer interaction, aggressive behavior, or sleep disturbances. The roots of these problems can be early childhood trauma; depression; autism; fetal alcohol syndrome; parent-child problems; and attachment, anxiety, adjustment, or attention deficit disorders. Among adults, the type of disease and its severity can produce a wide variety of symptoms. A person with depression, a very common brain disorder, will likely seem withdrawn and tired, and will lose interest in social or recreational activities he or she formerly enjoyed. He or she may experience changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, and other behaviors. Severe depression can lead to despair so overwhelming that thoughts of suicide emerge. A person with bi-polar disorder, sometimes called manic-depression, experiences cycles in which his or her mood changes from deep depression to high levels of animation and activity, and back again. During the "manic" stage, the person rarely sleeps and may start a multitude of new projects but finish few or none of them. A person with schizophrenia, one of the most disabling mental illnesses, may have visual hallucinations or hear voices, and have difficulty thinking and expressing thoughts clearly, making decisions, or interacting successfully with other people. Extreme fearfulness, watchfulness, and withdrawn behavior are other signs of schizophrenia. The website of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, www.nami.org, and the website of the federal Center for Mental Health Services, www.mentalhealth.org, have much more detailed information on the mental illnesses, their symptoms, and their treatment. Visit to read more about these topics. • What if I can't afford treatment in a hospital or community mental health center?The amount a client pays for services in ODMHSAS-supported programs depends upon his or her income, family size, and insurance status. A representative of the service provider discusses these factors with the client and determines the extent to which fees may be applicable. Clients may use the behavioral health coverage in their private insurance policies to help pay for treatment. The Medicaid program also covers the cost of some services for those who are eligible. Clients who are not eligible for Medicaid benefits, those who have no insurance, or those who have used all the benefits allowed by their insurance policies may qualify for fully state-supported services. • How can I find a mental health treatment center or residential care facility near me?There are scores of mental health related programs in Oklahoma supported, at least in part, by funding from ODMHSAS. They offer a range of services, including inpatient treatment, outpatient counseling, psychosocial rehabilitation programs, case management, and residential services. One easy way to find a program near you is to call ReachOut (800-522-9054), a statewide toll free number that's answered 24 hours a day. The ReachOut staff member can help you find the right services for you or your family member. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing, you can use a TDD to call ReachOut. If you prefer, you can look at a listing of community mental health centers, or psychiatric hospitals, or residential care facilities, or other community-based programs on this website. Each list is arranged alphabetically by city to make it easy to find a program near you. • How can I find a support group for people with mental illness or their family members?The ODMHSAS ReachOut hotline, 800-522-9054, has information on support groups across the state. ReachOut is toll free and available 24 hours a day. In addition to voice calls, it can receive calls from deaf or hard-of-hearing persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD). Other organizations that can provide support group information are the Oklahoma Mental Health Consumer Council, 888-424-1305 (toll free) and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Oklahoma headquarters: 800-583-1264 (toll free). • What is the Ticket to Work program and how can it help mental health services consumers?Ticket to Work is a voluntary federal program for people between 18 and 65 years of age who are receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. The program helps people with mental illness or other disabilities receive job training and join the work force, while retaining important SSI or SSDI benefits. People in this program can train for, find, and keep employment, and employers can be matched with potential workers. Ticket to Work permits eligible persons to continue to receive disability payments, within certain limits, while they are phasing back into the workforce and to retain their Medicaid health care coverage. For additional information on Ticket to Work, contact the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services at 405-522-6530. • How do I become licensed as a mental health professional in Oklahoma?The ODMHSAS does not administer licensure programs for mental health professionals. Here are the appropriate licensing organizations: Licensed Professional Counselor or Licensed Marital and Family Therapist or Licensed Behavioral Practitioner. Contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health, Professional Counselors Licensing Division, 1000 N.E. 10th, Oklahoma City, OK 73117. Phone 405-271-6030 or visit the OSDH website's section on licensure. Psychologist. Contact the Oklahoma Board of Examiners of Psychology, 1000 N.E. 10th Street, Room 504, Oklahoma City, OK 73117. Phone 405-271-6118. Social Worker. Contact the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers, 3535 N.W. 58th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Phone 405-946-7230 or visit the OSBLSW website.
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