Oklahoma Lawmaker Urges Mental Health Diversion From Jails and ERs

Mental health diversion policies could take center stage in the upcoming Oklahoma legislative session as state leaders grapple with mounting costs and crowded correctional facilities.

State jails have transformed into de facto mental health clinics even though correctional staff lack clinical training, State Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, told a crowd of about 100 people at an Oklahoma City event hosted by the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. Lawson, who chairs a special legislative committee on mental health funding, emphasized that redirecting individuals away from emergency rooms and jails remains a primary objective for lawmakers.

That push comes as Oklahoma operates under a court-ordered consent decree requiring the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to reduce wait times for competency restoration services for jailed individuals with severe mental illness. Lawmakers must also manage upcoming transitions, including a new mental health department leader appointed by Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei in January alongside potential shifts in federal policy following midterm elections.

Emergency rooms serve as the most expensive venue for treating mental health crises, driving up expenses for employers, health plans, providers, and everyday residents, according to Zack Stoycoff, president and CEO of the Healthy Minds Policy Initiative.

Oklahoma Lawmaker Urges Mental Health Diversion From Jails and ERs — Photo: yahoo.com

State data shows that Oklahoma recorded about 45,000 mental health-related emergency room visits carrying a total price tag of roughly $266 million in 2025, with suicide-related visits accounting for about a quarter of that total. Average admission costs varied by condition during the same year:

Condition	Average ER Admission Cost
Behavioral health-related admission	$4,960
Substance use disorder	$6,450
Suicidality	$7,050

Strategic investments in mental health infrastructure can generate long-term savings across public spending and economic activity, Stoycoff noted during the event.

“We will all be waiting to see what changes happen federally after the recent elections, as they could dramatically alter the outlook for healthcare in 2027 and beyond,” said Zack Stoycoff, president and CEO of Healthy Minds Policy Initiative. “No matter what happens, we believe the path forward must recognize mental health not just as another line item, but as a solution.”