Oklahoma Mental Health Department Faces Scrutiny

mike33692
Sep 29
1 min read

Where Oklahoma mental health reforms stand now

A new review finds the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is not meeting key benchmarks from a class-action settlement over treatment for defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial. The report cites delays in evaluations, limited bed capacity, and bottlenecks moving patients into appropriate care.

Leadership change brings cautious optimism

The review also notes Interim Commissioner Greg Slavonic has started addressing backlogs, prioritizing faster competency evaluations, and widening community-care options. Advocates call the steps encouraging, but say sustained funding, staffing, and metrics are essential to avoid renewed litigation.

Why it matters for courts and public safety

Slow compliance can stall criminal cases, increase jail crowding, and inflate costs for counties. Public defenders and prosecutors alike say timely treatment reduces recidivism and restores court capacity.