The Tulsa Health Department’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) includes a dedicated focus on Stress and Mental Health, recognizing it as a top priority for the well-being of Tulsa County residents.
Tulsa County faces significant mental health disparities exacerbated by local socioeconomic challenges and systemic inequities. The county’s suicide rate is approximately 20 per 100,000, notably higher than the 2021 U.S. rate of 13.9 per 100,000 (CDC WONDER, 2023). Nearly 47% of residents needing mental health services report barriers to access, worsening outcomes (Oklahoma State Department of Health, 2024).
High incarceration rates among individuals with untreated behavioral health disorders further compound these issues (James & Glaze, 2006; APA, 2020). Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, housing instability, and unemployment disproportionately affect diverse communities in Tulsa County, limiting access to care (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020; Tulsa Health Department, 2023).
Stigma, cultural mistrust, and limited provider capacity hinder early intervention. SAMHSA (2022) highlights trauma-informed, culturally responsive care as essential for improving service use and outcomes. This priority targets reducing suicide, expanding service access, lowering substance misuse impact, and fostering crosssector collaboration aligned with Healthy People 2030 (ODPHP, 2020).
Parkside; Ascension St. John Health System; Family and Children’s Services; Tulsa Public Schools; Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps; City of Tulsa; Tulsa Police Department; Tulsa Fire Department; Oklahoma Family Network; Mental Health Association Oklahoma; Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma; GRAND Mental Health Tulsa; Tulsa Health Department; Ascension St. John; CAPSAT; STOPDUI
The CHIP Stress and Mental Health Workgroup represents a cross-sector collaboration of community partners to address the goals within the Tulsa County CHIP. This is a new health priority for the CHIP and we look forward to meeting and working alongside more experts in this field.
Meetings are held in-person or online as noted below. Location will be shared prior to the meeting. If you like to attend, please contact our CHIP Project Manager at Christina Seymour by email at cseymour@tulsa-health.org.
2026 Meetings Dates:
Register to Attend a Stress and Mental Health Workgroup Meeting
The CHIP is intended to be monitored over time. To track the progress of this initiative, key performance markers are monitored through a community dashboard on the AchieveIt platform. These markers reflect measurable outcomes, and serve as a tool for stakeholders to assess how well collaborative efforts are addressing mental health challenges, reducing barriers to care and improving overall community resilience. The dashboard supports data-driven decision-making and ensures transparency and accountability as Tulsa County works to enhance mental wellness across the population.
We have 9 locations across Tulsa County that offer a variety of services to help you and your family stay healthy.
