Tulsa City Council tours mental health facilities to learn about crisis response

Tulsa city councilors got an up-close look at some facilities that help people experiencing a mental health crisis.

The council says the tour is beneficial to get a look at the mental health services and how they work with first responders.

One by one, city councilors and other staffers filled the halls of Tulsa's mental health facilities for a chance to learn about what happens inside these buildings.

"They asked very thoughtful questions that are going to educate them and help them understand what the residents and citizens of Tulsa need," said Family & Children's Services chief program officer Krista Lewis, as she led part of the tour.

Lewis wants the city leaders to see the variety of services offered and how they work.

"To be actually able to see where someone can receive care, it makes it more personal," she said.

Councilor Phil Lakin wanted to learn about how these organizations work with first responders.          

"If one is not able to provide the services, they transfer it to another, they know each other—they know each other by name and they're really trying to get the right services to the right people at the right time," he said.

This experience gives the council a clear picture of what they call a big issue.                                                

"It's vitally important; we can't sit at City Hall and know what's going on out in the community," Lakin said. "We've got to get in the community so we know what to do at City Hall."

Lakin says the council will provide support for these services to the extent it can. He recommends that state lawmakers take a similar tour.

Mental health coordinators from Tulsa Police and the Tulsa Fire Department answered questions about how they work with these mental health organizations.

Councilors also toured Grand Mental Health, Parkside Psychiatric Hospital and Youth Evaluation Services.