1 in 4 Oklahomans face a mental illness. We deserve access to affordable care.
I first found myself sitting across from a therapist in 2019. Life was heavy, and after multiple panic attacks, I realized something had to give. I spent nine months working through a lot, and I'm grateful to say I haven't had a single panic attack since.
But life doesn't stop. Hard things still come. That's why, recently, I once again found myself in a therapist's office, processing the death of a friend, my internal struggles and trying to make sense of it all.
I didn't grow up in a generation that talked about therapy. I'm proudly Gen X. We fall down, dust ourselves off and keep going. Therapy was only whispered about, reserved for people who 'couldn't keep it together.' Gosh, I was wrong.
Today, 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experiences a mental illness each year, yet fewer than half receive treatment, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In Oklahoma, the numbers are even more concerning. Oklahoma ranks among the bottom five states in mental health outcomes, and in some years, it's been dead last. Nearly one-third of adults in Oklahoma report symptoms of anxiety or depression.
There's a lot of talk in Washington about cutting benefits, especially for the poor and disenfranchised, under the banner of 'reducing fraud, waste and abuse.' But let's be clear: When we reduce access to mental health care, we don't just cut costs, we cut lives short, we cut families off from support and we cut hope out of our communities.
Letters: Oklahoma mental health agency needs innovation, not cuts. Lives depend on it.
We owe it to every Oklahoman to provide affordable, accessible mental health care. Access leads to healthier individuals, parents, families, and ultimately, communities.
And it's not just mental health advocates sounding the alarm. Business leaders are taking notice, too. According to the 2025 Business Leaders Poll by the State Chamber of Oklahoma, 55% of Oklahoma business leaders say they would rather dedicate more funding to mental health programs than receive a tax cut. And, according to the World Health Organization, worldwide depression and anxiety alone cost the economy almost $1 trillion in lost job productivity. That's a clear message: investing in mental health isn't just compassionate, it's good for the workforce, good for productivity and good for the long-term health of our economy.
Editorial: Time has come for a clean sweep of Oklahoma's mental health agency
Unfortunately, many of those in decision-making roles don't always see the everyday struggles of working-class families. As someone leading a nonprofit mental health program, I witness these challenges up close. Medicaid reimbursements don't come close to covering the true cost of care, which means we're constantly relying on strategic partners and foundation support just to keep our doors open. These funders are a part of the community and provide incredible community investment, but we still need public funding to make it work for all Oklahomans. Any further reductions or barriers to access will be catastrophic for the very people who need these services most.
I hope we all take time to reflect, get the help we need without shame, and advocate for our neighbors who may not have the same access or voice.
Mental health is not a luxury. It's a lifeline.
Keith Howard is the CEO of Circle of Care Inc., a faith-based nonprofit living out our mission to provide Christian help, healing and hope to Oklahomans across our great state.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma needs mental health care for healthier communities | Opinion
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