Holdenville mental health clinic may close

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) _ A mental health clinic in Holdenville could close its doors because of budget problems within the agency, officials said. <br><br>About 75 clients who visit the Carl Albert Community

Monday, January 13th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOLDENVILLE, Okla. (AP) _ A mental health clinic in Holdenville could close its doors because of budget problems within the agency, officials said.

About 75 clients who visit the Carl Albert Community Mental Health Center clinic may have to go elsewhere if budget conditions don't improve, said Rand Baker, deputy commissioner of mental health services at the state Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Department.

``It's one of those things, with budget circumstances, that we have to look at,'' Baker said.

Carl Albert has a main clinic in McAlester and manages five satellite clinics in Holdenville, Hugo, Idabel, Heavener and Stigler.

The department doesn't plan to close the other four. Holdenville is being considered because it is small, Baker said.

State officials aren't sure how they would change services if the Holdenville clinic closed.

The state spends $146,864 a year on the Holdenville clinic, including about $130,000 in salaries for a counselor, nurse and receptionist.

State officials aren't sure if closing the clinic would mean moving Holdenville's staff to another city or eliminating the positions.