New Mental Health Chief Aims for Early Intervention

By Jim Killackey, The Daily Oklahoman

Mar. 23–Terri White, a five-year employee of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, was named Thursday as the agency’s new commissioner.

White, 33, was selected in an 8-0 vote by the department’s board. White will assume the post May 13.

“We’re excited about the opportunities that accompany Ms. White’s selection,” said Dr. Larry McCauley, agency board chairman.

She said Thursday her primary goal as commissioner will be to ensure “that every Oklahoman in need has the opportunity to recover from mental illness or addiction.”

Recovery is a reality if people have access to services, she said.

“Early intervention and prevention services for mental illness and substance abuse also are keys to the future of our state’s health,” she said.

White noted that the Governor’s and Attorney General’s Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Abuse found untreated mental illness and substance abuse have a direct cost to Oklahomans of more than $3.2 billion a year.

These problems are directly linked to increases in incarcerations, suicides, domestic troubles, welfare rolls, homelessness, school dropout rates, teen pregnancy, employee absenteeism, unemployment and higher workers’ compensation costs, she said.

“In Oklahoma, we have thousands of nonviolent prisoners in our criminal justice system who could benefit from substance abuse or mental health treatment,” she said.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Daily Oklahoman

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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