State gets funds to study mental health needs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The federal government Friday presented Governor Brad Henry a check as part of a $15-million grant to study mental health needs. <br/><br/>Oklahoma is one of just seven states chosen

Friday, November 4th 2005, 6:43 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ The federal government Friday presented Governor Brad Henry a check as part of a $15-million grant to study mental health needs.

Oklahoma is one of just seven states chosen for the $14.7-million grant that will be paid out over five years.

State Secretary of Health Terry Cline says the first step is to select a group of state agency leaders and mental health representatives to study current mental health services and what is needed. The group is to present its plan to the governor next October.

The group is to focus on mental health services in rural areas; overcoming language barriers; improving coordination among state agencies; amd improving services for the youth and the elderly.

Oklahoma and the other six states are to serve as a model for developing new ways to assess and treat the mentally ill nationwide.