Okmulgee County has a lot to offer its residents but as most of us know, no place is immune to mental health problems. Depression, anxiety and stress related disorders can cause serious problems in a critical developmental period.
Half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders begin by age 14 (NAMI, 2014) and an estimated 21% of children age 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder. Approximately 11% suffer from depression and around 8% with anxiety (NIMH, 2014).
So how are we doing in Okmulgee County when it comes to identification and treatment? With an estimated 3,000 children between age 13 and 17 in Okmulgee County (U.S. Census Data, 2010), we should expect around 650 total diagnoses in any year.
And how many children in Okmulgee County received treatment from a state contracted provider? Statistics from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services indicate less than 50 children aged 13 to 17 received treatment for any disorder in ALL of Okmulgee County in 2013. That’s a tiny fraction of those needing services.
Why such a large discrepancy? Some may be receiving counseling from private or tribal providers but the fact is, most are probably not receiving any type of counseling whatsoever.
The first step in solving a problem is admitting there is one. Increasing awareness among parents, school officials, and health professionals is critical. Through appropriate identification, evaluation, and treatment, children and adolescents living with mental illness can lead productive lives (NAMI, 2013).
Without treatment, children are much more likely to experience a variety of problems including suicide, school failure and criminal justice involvement.Those who commit suicide (90%), those who fail and drop out of school (50%) and those with criminal justice involvement (70%) are much more likely to suffer from a mental health disorder than others their age (NAMI, 2013)
Recovery in Oklahoma, LLC provides outpatient adolescent counseling services in Okmulgee County. We provide both office and home based services as appropriate. Treatment services are provided at no cost to children with Medicaid and we also have low rates for those without coverage.
If you want to learn more, please contact us at (918) 777-3075. Together, we can increase awareness and work to address these problems where and when they start.
