mental Archives - Ponca City Now

National Wellness Month highlights importance of mental, social health

Friday, August 7 by News 6

National Wellness Month encourages many people to focus on healthy eating and exercise, but experts say wellness is much broader than physical health alone. Dr. Stephen Lahr with Family and Children’s Services joined News On 6 to discuss often overlooked parts of wellness, including emotional health, attention and social connections. He said taking a more... Read More.

Charges against California dad who drove family off cliff dropped after mental health treatment

Thursday, July 9 by AP

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — All charges against a radiologist accused of trying to kill his family in 2023 by driving his car off a cliff along the Northern California coast have been dismissed by a judge following his completion of a mental health program. Prosecutors charged Dharmesh Patel, 45, with attempted murder after... Read More.

New ApexCare app aims to expand mental health access across Oklahoma

Tuesday, April 28 by News 6

TULSA, Okla. - A new app is helping Oklahomans connect with mental health support when they need it most — right from their phones. 24/7 access to counselors ApexCare allows users to connect with a counselor anytime, day or night, without needing to travel to a clinic. Organizers say the goal is to make help more immediate... Read More.

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Effort to Improve Mental Health Care in Rural Areas Passes House

Wednesday, March 11 by Ponca City Now

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, recently passed a bill in the Oklahoma House of Representatives that is hoped to recruit more mental health professionals to serve rural residents. House Bill 2947 would credential behavioral health clinical interns to provide services that are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement under the state's Medicaid... Read More.

Sheriff Walton concerned about protocols at mental health facility

Monday, January 5 by KTUL

CLAREMORE, (Okla.) — "If it was across the street from where I live, I’d certainly lock my doors and watch my kids," said Rogers County Sheriff Scott Walton, talking about Grand Mental Health Horizons in Claremore, which recently had a walkaway two days before Christmas. "One of the patients gets confrontational with staff there, assaults staff,... Read More.

Mental health advocates urge lawmakers to boost funding amid service cuts

Monday, October 13 by KOKH

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (KOKH) — Mental health advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for mental health services following significant budget cuts by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS). The cuts, implemented at the beginning of the month, have already begun to impact organizations and individuals relying on these services. Tyler... Read More.

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New mental health training in Tulsa focuses on Anosognosia and serious mental illnesses

Tuesday, September 16 by News 6

TULSA, Okla. - A new training program in Tulsa is providing families and mental health professionals with a unique approach to connecting with individuals who have a serious mental illness but may not realize they are sick. This collaborative effort, bringing together the LEAP Institute, the Department of Human Relations, and OU-Tulsa's Clinical... Read More.

Educator warns mental health support for students at risk after PRIME program ends

Thursday, August 14 by KTUL

CHICKASHA, OKLA (KTUL) — Rural Oklahoma schools are grappling with new challenges in mental health support following recent federal funding cuts to a critical program. The PRIME program, which had been instrumental in filling counseling gaps in rural schools, is set to end in December, leaving educators concerned about the future. Bailey Smith, a special education... Read More.

Mental health among top reasons children miss school, study shows

Thursday, August 14 by News 9

A new study shows one of the biggest reasons children miss school is due to fear or emotional stress. A survey from the Kids Mental Health Foundation shows that while physical illness is the number one reason children are absent, nearly one-third of parents say their child missed school because of mental health. Some of the... Read More.

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Experts warn early screen time may harm children’s mental health

Tuesday, June 10 by AP

A growing body of research is raising alarms about screen use among young children, especially those under age 5. A recent meta-analysis found that three in four children younger than 2 are being exposed to screens, despite global health guidelines advising otherwise. Experts say the effects aren’t just developmental—they may be emotional, behavioral and lasting. Here’s... Read More.

Gov. Stitt issues apology to state senator over State Dept. of Mental Health spat

Thursday, June 5 by News 6

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt says he regrets calling out a state senator and his wife when lawmakers fired the commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services last month. TIMELINE: How Oklahoma lawmakers removed Mental Health Commissioner amid budget crisis Sen. Paul Rosino co-authored the resolution... Read More.

Republicans ramp up investigations into Biden’s health, mental state while in office

Friday, May 30 by TNND

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Congressional Republicans are ramping up efforts to investigate the Biden administration and what staffers knew about former President Joe Biden’s health and mental decline while he was in office after the announcement that he had been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Scrutiny about Biden’s health and mental state has ramped... Read More.