During a recent government meeting, community partners emphasized the pressing need for enhanced mental health support in the area. A representative from a long-established mental health organization, which has been active for 40 years and operates 27 sites statewide, highlighted their commitment to addressing local needs through tailored partnerships.

The organization shared insights from their previous collaboration with Broken Arrow, where they successfully addressed significant mental health challenges faced by the police department. By providing crisis support services, they alleviated the burden on law enforcement, allowing officers to focus on their primary duties. Additionally, they established a community resource center to coordinate services for vulnerable populations, including unhoused youth.

The representative noted that Broken Arrow, despite being affluent, had a notable number of unhoused youth—460—an issue that was echoed in the current community's discussions. They expressed concern that the local figures might be even higher and reiterated their willingness to assist in creating a centralized hub for essential services such as counseling, food, clothing, and housing.

As part of their ongoing efforts, the organization is in the process of developing a $5 million facility that will employ approximately 200 people, further expanding their integrated service offerings. They are actively seeking to understand how they can best support the community and enhance existing resources, acknowledging the strong philanthropic spirit present among local stakeholders.

The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and community engagement in addressing mental health needs, with the organization eager to partner with local leaders to create impactful solutions.