More older Americans are dying by gun suicide. The rate is particularly high in Oklahoma, and especially in rural counties.

The post Isolation, Illness and Guns: Why More Older Oklahomans Are Dying by Suicide appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has yet to send out renewal applications for Fiscal Year 2026, prompting some counties to pay out of pocket for services.

The post Counties Await Guidance on Renewing State Question 781 Programs appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Investigation of a second harrowing attempt to seize control of an elderly vet establishes a troubling pattern of abuse in the St. Francis Health System and uncovers hints of turmoil and controversy at Oklahoma’s largest hospital.

The post Failed Seizure of a Vulnerable Vet at Oklahoma’s Largest Hospital Hints at Crisis to Come for Aging Population appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Oklahoma’s mental health agency faces an evolving budget shortfall and may miss payroll, agency leaders told lawmakers this week. Legislative hearings have uncovered poor budgeting practices and spending inconsistencies. Multiple investigations are underway as the agency works with state leaders to stabilize finances and maintain services.

The post Mental Health Agency Warns of Payroll Issues Amid Cash Crunch appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Oklahoma’s Donahue Behavioral Health Center faces a $125 million funding shortfall due to underestimated costs, inflation and design changes. Delays may push its opening to 2028.

The post State’s New Mental Health Center Faces Huge Construction Cost Overrun  appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

The counties are mostly in rural areas that aren’t allotted as much money from the County Community Safety Investment Fund.

The post Dozens of Counties Don’t Apply for Mental Health and Diversion Grants appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Shannon Hanchett’s physical and mental health deteriorated rapidly after being booked into the jail, the lawsuit claims, noting that medical staff did not evaluate her for more than 72 hours after arriving at the jail.

The post Subpar Care Led to Cleveland County Detainee’s Death, Federal Lawsuit Claims appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Untreated mental health and substance abuse conditions killed 28 people detained in Oklahoma jails last year with no consequences to those responsible for their care, an Oklahoma Watch investigation revealed.

The post These Oklahomans Needed Mental Health Care. Instead, They Died in Jail. appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Pottawatomie County jail officials apparently defied state laws and a judge’s order when they concealed information on the unexplained deaths of seven vulnerable detainees. All seven people arrived at the jail with medical and mental health or substance use complications that required care. None of them made it home alive. Most of their families still don’t know why.

The post Cover-up Alleged in Pottawatomie County Jail Deaths appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.

Despite more funding, advocates for criminal justice reform warn that wide swaths of the state are at a disadvantage, unable to provide proper mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The post Experts: Money Alone Can’t Solve Mental Health Access Issues in Rural Jails appeared first on Oklahoma Watch.