TULSA, Okla. –
A mobile mental health initiative aimed at expanding access to behavioral health services in rural Oklahoma is marking its first year of service after traveling thousands of miles to connect residents with care and resources.
The mobile unit, launched through a partnership between the Oklahoma Caring Foundation and GRAND Mental Health, was created as part of the Oklahoma Caring Foundation’s Caring Van program to help address gaps in mental health services, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
According to the organizations, the van has traveled more than 4,000 miles and participated in 75 community events over the past year, providing outreach, connecting people with treatment services and increasing awareness of available mental health resources.
The anniversary comes as Oklahoma continues to face significant shortages in behavioral health care providers. All 77 counties in the state are designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. Federal data shows Oklahoma meets only about one-third of its behavioral health workforce needs, leaving many residents without timely access to care. The challenges are especially pronounced in rural communities, where longer travel distances, limited provider availability and transportation barriers can make accessing services difficult.
“Too many Oklahomans still face barriers when it comes to accessing mental health support,” Oklahoma Caring Foundation Executive Director Brooke Townsend said in a statement. “Through this partnership, we’re bringing resources directly into communities while reinforcing our commitment to meeting people where they are.”
Townsend said the initiative is intended not only to improve access to care but also to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and encourage conversations about wellness.
GRAND Mental Health President and CEO Josh Cantwell said the mobile unit helps ensure geography is not a barrier to receiving behavioral health services.
“In rural communities, access to mental health care can’t wait,” Cantwell said. “By bringing resources directly into communities, we’re expanding access, increasing awareness and creating more opportunities for people to get the help they need and deserve.”
Officials from both organizations said the program’s first anniversary highlights the ongoing need for community-based approaches to mental health care as the partnership enters its second year.
The Oklahoma Caring Foundation, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, was established in 1994 to improve access to preventive health care across the state. GRAND Mental Health, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic founded in 1979, serves more than 28,000 clients annually through 31 clinics and centers across 13 counties in northeastern and north-central Oklahoma.
