“You’re going to have tough choices. And I know this isn’t going to shock any of you — I’m not going to make it easy for you. I’m not going to just say, ‘Yep, I know it’s tough choices’ and not advocate for what I think is the best use of state dollars. So, my thought that we should all be thinking about is, ‘How much is a life in Oklahoma worth?’ “
– Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Terri White, advocating for mental health funding at a senate appropriations hearing on Wednesday. Oklahoma spends $56.22 per capita on mental health, well below the national average of $129.27 per capita (Source)