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by Jaiya Brown, KTUL
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TULSA, OKLA (KTUL) — Oklahoma's mental health care is taking a new direction, reaching rural communities surrounding Tulsa with a mobile mental health collaboration.
What started as a small pilot program has now evolved into a full-fledged initiative, eliminating the distance between people and the care they need.
"You don't have to make arrangements for childcare or taking a day off of work because you've got to drive 100 miles to a clinic, and so being able to have the van in those just right there at your doorstep," said Amy Garrison, Chief Administrative Officer of Grand Mental Health.
The new cobranded van, staffed by Grand Mental Health and administered by the Oklahoma Caring Foundation, is expected to reach more than 13 counties across northeast and north-central Oklahoma.
A significant concern for future care is funding, especially as many organizations face financial cuts impacting their services, Grand Mental Health being one of them.
Garrison addressed these concerns, saying, "We’re funded through Medicaid services, and so while, while yes there could be impacts from the Medicaid cuts or something that are coming, I don't think that this is something that's going to be impacted in any way, because it's not extra of what we're doing. We're just incorporating it into our daily services."
For those interested in mobile services, appointments can be made by visiting any Grand clinic or calling their 1-800 number.
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