How Oklahoma’s 988 hotline helped save a woman’s life and sparked advocacy
Calling 988 saved Kayla Moore’s life when she was in crisis, and her experience inspired her to advocate for mental health resources.
It’s no secret that Oklahomans are facing a mental health crisis. The numbers don’t lie: According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 592,000 Oklahoma adults suffer from a mental illness, yet more than a third of our citizens live in a community where there aren’t enough mental health professionals to help them.
Our children are struggling, too: More than 58,000 Oklahomans ages 12 to 17 suffer from depression, and over 60% of them have not received mental health treatment in the past year. High school students with depression are twice as likely to drop out of school as their peers. The pandemic has hit brain development hard. A recent report from the Girl Scouts of the USA shows that nearly 70% of girls ages 5 to 13 continue to suffer from loneliness, which can impact their self-confidence in adulthood.
More: We need to improve outcomes for children. Investing in the adult mental health system would help | Opinion
The need for help is clear, and as CEO of Community Treatment Integrations Oklahoma (CTI-OK) – a nonprofit organization dedicated to treating mental illness and addictions for people of all ages, ethnicities, and walks of life – I have witnessed firsthand that mental health and addictions services can save lives.
In a perfect world, Oklahomans struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues could get the care they deserve without much hassle, but that’s not the case for us. High costs, lack of insurance coverage, and a shortage of mental health professionals and facilities – especially in rural areas – all contribute to those struggling with mental health issues not getting the right care.
Even if we as a state are able to overcome these hurdles, we still face the side effects of deep-seated stigmas associated with mental illness and intergenerational trauma from a lack of care. Raised to work their way up and get through anything on their own, many Oklahomans silently perpetuate a cycle of suffering.
New resources like Oklahoma’s 988 Mental Health Lifeline are a good start. 988 makes it easier for Oklahomans to access life-saving help, no matter where they live. Anyone, including rural Oklahomans, can call or text 9-8-8 to receive immediate, free, and confidential support for mental health or substance abuse issues 24/7. The Lifeline receives an average of more than 3,000 calls per month.
More: Oklahoma’s 988 received nearly twice as many calls in second year: What you should know
One of the best ways providers can move our state closer to the shared goal of better mental health care is by sharing best practices. That means meeting patients where they are. Welcoming everyone who seeks treatment, treating them with the empathy and respect we would expect for our own loved ones, and offering a sliding payment scale so no one is left without the treatment they need. Multilingual providers and translation services are also essential, as is providing an inclusive and positive environment to make treatment less scary.
Because we know that recovery requires long-term stability, we must do everything we can to help patients, even if it goes beyond the normal scope of treatment – for example, if someone needs help finding a job or a place to live. If a young mother needs to finish school to pursue a healthier life, help her. There is no barrier that should not be broken down to help patients.
There is a silent epidemic of untreated mental illness and substance use disorders spreading in our state, and we all need to address it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Janet Cizek, LPC, LADC, is founder and CEO of Community Treatment Integrations Oklahoma.
