Everyone is watching to see how the legislature funds mental health programs in the state. Among those paying close attention is Gail Lapidus. She is the Director of Tulsa’s Family and Children Services.
She says it is no exaggeration to say “lives are on the line” if services are cut. The center oversees the COPES Mental Health Intervention program. The program responds to around six suicide calls per day in Tulsa. It state funding is slashed that program could be without funding.
She says COPES also prevents many potential Tulsa homicides. That could mean Tulsa’s already high homicide rate could get higher with the cuts.