Mental Health and Addiction Reporter

Oklahoma has among the highest rates in the country for mental health disorders and substance abuse. Based on 2020 data, 25.6 percent of the state’s population struggles with a mental illness, and 16.1 percent has a substance abuse disorder. Between 700,000 and 950,000 Oklahomans need services, but less than 20 percent of those in need are receiving care. This gap has an impact on the health care system, education system and criminal justice system. However, the scant news coverage in the state of these systems treats the issues primarily as symptoms without connecting dots to the larger issues. Additionally, Oklahoma and tribal nations that reside within the state were among the first to sue opioid manufacturers and distributors. This more than $1 billion is now flowing into the state and reservations, and this beat covers how is this money is being used to address the mental health and substance abuse crisis.