Just days ago in Oklahoma, a man in the midst of a severe mental health crisis wandered onto a highway and was struck and killed by multiple cars . This tragic event reflects a pervasive failure in how we handle mental health crises. We often hear the familiar refrain: Take the person to a behavioral health clinic. It sounds like the solution, but it’s not. It’s merely a temporary fix for a complex and deep-rooted systemic problem.
Behavioral health clinics are frequently viewed as the ultimate solution — a proverbial silver bullet. However, in Oklahoma, these facilities can only detain individuals for up to 120 hours (or five days) without a court order , which is notoriously difficult to secure. The legacy of America's troubled history with mental health care continues to influence current practices, and there is an understandable reluctance to resort to involuntarily institutionalization.
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But even if such measures were taken, would they truly help? Research suggests that psychiatric hospitals, as they currently operate, are far from effective . Forcing individuals to engage in activities like coloring or minimally structured group therapy sessions provides little more than a distraction, offering no meaningful path to lasting recovery. As a result, patients often feign recovery just to leave, only to return to the same environment that triggered the crisis in the first place.
Mental health recovery and stability cannot be achieved in just five days. Anyone who has experienced mental illness can attest to this — 120 hours is barely enough time to stabilize someone in acute crisis, let alone influence their long-term outcomes. Many individuals struggling with mental illness need weeks, if not months, to see meaningful progress, particularly when psychiatric medications often take weeks to show results . A 120-hour hold is akin to placing a band-aid on a deep wound: It may temporarily cover the bleeding, but when the cut requires stitches, it’s hardly a solution — eventually, the blood will seep through.
In Oklahoma, where mental health services are woefully underfunded (in part due to county governments not fully leveraging available funding opportunities ), the situation is especially bleak. Clinics often lack the resources for follow-up care, and patients are frequently discharged without long-term support . The state ranks 34th nationally for access to mental health care , with over half a million residents living with some form of mental illness — yet the infrastructure to support them is alarmingly insufficient. Clinics are understaffed, professionals are burning out and patients are left with few, if any, options.
What happens once the 120 hours are up? Next week? In a month? For many, there’s no comprehensive care plan, no sustained follow-up. Some are discharged with little more than a prescription and well wishes. The underlying issues remain untreated, festering until the next inevitable crisis. This cycle of short-term intervention without long-term solutions sets people up to fail. If the emotional toll weren’t enough, the financial burden of psychiatric care, even for those with insurance, can be overwhelming. For those without coverage, the costs only exacerbate an already devastating crisis.
We need comprehensive treatment plans that extend far beyond the immediate stabilization provided by a 120-hour hold. Wraparound services that tackle housing instability, substance use, and the absence of social support are essential in bridging the gap between crisis intervention and long-term recovery. Integrated care models , which coordinate mental health care with primary health care services, could help address the multifaceted factors contributing to mental health crises, ensuring patients receive more holistic support.
However, to truly transform the system, policy changes are necessary. Increasing funding for mental health services is critical to addressing chronic understaffing and burnout among mental health professionals. Policies that mandate insurance coverage for longer-term mental health care — including therapy, medication management and case management services — would help alleviate the financial strain on individuals, ensuring they aren’t left to bear the weight of their treatment alone.
Additionally, expanding Medicaid coverage for mental health services would ensure that more low-income individuals have access to the care they need. Investments in mental health infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, would address significant care gaps, providing more accessible crisis centers and community-based treatment options. Finally, implementing policies that incentivize the integration of mental health services into schools , workplaces , and community health centers would allow for earlier intervention, reducing the likelihood of crises altogether. These changes are critical for creating a mental health system that supports long-term recovery rather than simply managing immediate crises.
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Behavioral health clinics and hospitals play a vital role in crisis care, but they can’t be the whole solution. The current system doesn’t create lasting stability; it only delays the next disaster. Until we commit to a system that offers sustainable, long-term mental health care, we’ll continue to hear stories like this one.
It’s time we rethink how we care for those in crisis. Moving beyond just survival, we must ensure that people have the support to heal and thrive.
Kati Malicoate is a public health researcher and advocate based in Oklahoma City.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OPINION: Temporary treatment is not enough to fix our nation's serious mental health issues
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