Advocacy

Mental Health Association Oklahoma Offers Support and Resources Amid National Events 

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Mental Health, Press Release, Resources /

For many, it is difficult to watch the events unfolding in Minnesota and other parts of the country without feeling stress, anxiety, or fear for themselves, their families, neighbors, and communities.  Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) recognizes the emotional toll that acts of violence, heightened enforcement actions, and ongoing uncertainty can have on individuals and […]

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Your Voice Matters: Advocacy Training for Individuals with Lived Experience

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Events, Eviction, Homelessness, Housing, Mental Health /

Every year, the Oklahoma State Legislature makes decisions that directly affect our neighbors and communities—decisions about landlord and tenant laws, funding for mental health services, how Oklahoma responds to homelessness, and more. These decisions are often complex and are sometimes made with limited information. Unlike many other states, Oklahoma does not include public testimony as

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Meet Elio: A Story of Courage, Resilience, and Joy

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When you meet Elio, the first thing you notice is his spark—his enthusiasm, optimism, and endless curiosity. But that light hasn’t always been so bright.  Elio grew up in an abusive home, where he and his younger sister endured years of physical and emotional harm. When Elio was nine, they moved in with their father

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New Data Shows Government Shutdown and SNAP Loss Drove Evictions in Oklahoma County

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Sitting outside an Oklahoma County courtroom in mid-November, two mothers were on the brink of losing everything. They were roommates, raising seven children between them. A delay in a disability payment had caused them to fall behind on rent—an issue made far worse by the government shutdown. The support they relied on wasn’t there. Then,

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Be Heard: Urge Lawmakers to Protect Proven Solutions for Homelessness

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As we conclude our Early and Often series, we’re focusing on how your voice can ensure that Oklahomans experiencing homelessness have access to consistent, compassionate, and effective services that truly build stability, health, and hope. Misinformation about homelessness, and even about those working every day to address it, is spreading quickly. As state legislators prepare

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Speak Up for Mental Health: Why Early Advocacy Matters

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Suicide, Youth Mental Health /

We are continuing our Early & Often series, highlighting why it’s so important to connect with your state legislators before the next legislative session begins.  These early conversations can help shape the bills your legislators choose to author, sponsor, and support, while improving outcomes for your neighbors and your community. Last week, we focused on

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Why Oklahoma’s Housing Crisis Needs Your Voice

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Oklahoma is at a critical crossroads. Across the state, we face a shortage of nearly 85,000 affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renters. At the same time, Oklahoma has one of the highest eviction rates in the nation. Together, these two realities create a volatile situation where too many families struggle to find

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The Power of Partnership: Inside Oklahoma’s Interim Study on Homelessness

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Homelessness, Housing, Point in Time Count, Street Outreach /

Legislators, nonprofit leaders, and law enforcement recently came together at the Oklahoma State Capitol for an interim study addressing homelessness in our state. Interim studies allow lawmakers to explore issues impacting Oklahomans by hearing directly from experts, service providers, advocates, and those with lived experience. They also offer an early look at potential legislation for

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When Should You Contact Your State Legislators? Early & Often.

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For Oklahomans who care deeply about improving outcomes for our neighbors, especially those experiencing homelessness or mental illness, recent news has been hard to hear. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services recently announced $40 million in cuts to service providers, ending nearly 300 contracts with organizations statewide. Just days later, Governor

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A Fresh Start: Charan Apartments Renovated to Support Housing Stability in Tulsa

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At Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK), a cornerstone of our mission is to provide clean, safe, and affordable housing for individuals and families in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Today, MHAOK owns and manages more than 1,300 rental units—about a quarter of which are home to people engaged in our programming. Thanks to a generous grant

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