The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

PROJECT PURPOSE

According to the American Psychiatric Association, ongoing stress and uncertainty of Covid-19 have led to increased demand for mental health services. Currently, there are not enough psychiatric hospital beds to address the need and this will only become a larger limitation as we experience the pandemic?s aftereffects. Addressing barriers like timely access to higher levels of care for both mental health and addiction services will ensure negative behavioral health effects of Covid-19 are negated. ODMHSAS proposes to add 50 beds to the already in process new hospital build to replace the ill-equipped Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health. In partnership with Tulsa, the Veteran?s Administration, and Oklahoma State University, building a new and expanded psychiatric hospital will add much needed capacity to address current limitations of this level of care and the impact the pandemic will continue to have on Oklahomans.

EVIDENCE

Patients choose a psychiatric hospital because of what the hospital has to offer. Psychiatric hospitals provide a safe environment for people to be stabilized, monitored, and set up for continuing aftercare once discharged. Psychiatric services and practices are informed by both State and Federal standards/laws and professional governing boards and committees.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

There has been a higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and substance use among Oklahomans during the pandemic. Along with increasing rates of depression and anxiety, there has been an increase in Oklahomans who have died by suicide. Fear of COVID-19 infection contributed to an increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions, especially those related to anxiety and depression. Public health pandemic response measures, such as social distancing requirements and business closures, further increased stress and risk factors for mental health conditions because of economic uncertainty and increased social isolation. Oklahoma has also seen an uptick in pandemic-related overdose deaths, primarily caused by fentanyl and analogous substances. Building a new and expanded psychiatric hospital will add much needed capacity to address current limitations of more intensive levels of care in Oklahoma and the impact the pandemic will continue to have on Oklahomans.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

The design and construction phases of the project will be monitored in conjunction with the above stated timeline.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma