Healthy Minds Policy Initiative

PROJECT PURPOSE

Combat the growing suicide and overdose crisis by reducing the fears, misperceptions and lack of awareness about behavioral health conditions and their treatment that prevent help-seeking and lead to deaths.

EVIDENCE

Our plan involves active collaboration with two leading national sources of research on reducing mental health stigma: Dr. Pat Corrigan, psychologist and leading anti-stigma figure; and Shatterproof, a partner organization running anti-stigma campaigns in several states. As such, our plan is modeled after the most widely-recognized research with six key components which are described in our full proposal.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

COVID-19 has dramatically worsened the mental health and drug overdose crisis in Oklahoma, particularly in rural areas where suicide rates have increased 27% since the onset of the pandemic. Unfortunately, stigma around these issues and lack of treatment awareness keeps too many Oklahomans from finding the help they need, and will continue to do so even as innovations such as 988 take effect. Research indicates that most people do not access treatment for years after the first onset of their mental health condition. When treatment is not accessed, research says stigma is to blame more than any other factor. Our anti-stigma campaign would be the most comprehensive, collaborative and research-backed effort to combat stigma on a statewide level in Oklahoma history. Full implementation of this plan would improve help-seeking, ensure more Oklahomans receive care that already is available, and improve early detection and handling of mental illness by doctors, educators and other key groups.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Control-group surveys measuring 1) Changes in perceptions on common mental health stigmatizing perceptions (i.e. depression is a real disease); 2) Action changes for key audiences (i.e. more primary care docs screening for mental health; more willingness to seek care); and 3) Social exclusion tendencies toward individuals with mental illness. An independent evaluator with no stake in the data will ensure accuracy and ongoing program improvement.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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