Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center has been in operation in north-central Oklahoma for fifty years as we first began providing services in 1958. There have been many changes since Dr. Edwin Fair first established this comprehensive mental health agency here in Ponca City. The primary focus of this private, non-profit agency, which is primarily funded by the Department of Mental Health, is to serve the most severely mentally ill individuals in our communities. Edwin Fair has approximately 90 employees, offices in Ponca City, Stillwater, Perry, and Pawhuska, and serves the five counties of Kay, Payne, Osage, Pawnee, and Noble. Services include outpatient therapy to children and adults, case management services including follow-up services for those discharged from psychiatric hospitalizations, psychosocial rehabilitation (formerly referred to as day treatment services), and substance abuse services. There are medication clinics at both offices in Ponca City and Stillwater. Emergency services are available for those in crisis on a twenty-four hour, seven days a week basis. In Kay County there is a specialized program, PACT, Program for Assertive Community Treatment, and this program focuses on those seriously mentally ill consumers who have not benefited from traditional outpatient services. Edwin Fair has Systems of Care children’s services in Kay, Payne, and Noble Counties and plans for expanding those services into Osage County in the very near future. Edwin Fair provides services to approximately 1500 individuals each year.

 A recent study on the prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse disorders in Oklahoma revealed that 26% of Oklahoma adults have a mental or addictive disorder. During the past year, 15.6% of adults experienced serious psychological distress and 10.7% of adults were struggling with dependence or abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol. Concerning Oklahoma’s children, 10% had serious emotional disturbances while another 10% had issues with abuse of illicit drugs or alcohol. Of adults, 70% needing treatment for a serious mental illness and 77% in need of treatment for substance abuse are not receiving appropriate care. In addition, 40% of children and youth who need mental health services and 80% who need substance abuse services are not receiving them. This represents quite a challenge to the mental health delivery system in the state of Oklahoma. We find ourselves with a large number of either untreated or underserved people with significant mental health issues.

 Edwin Fair Community Mental Health Center is actively attempting to address the mental health needs of our community. The fact is mental and addictive disorders are treatable, as treatable or even more successfully treated than common physical illnesses such as heart disease, cancer or diabetes. However, if left untreated, mental illnesses and addictive disorders are among the most disabling and destructive illnesses known.

 Another innovation in mental health services has been the adoption of a Recovery oriented approach to the delivery of services to our severely mentally ill consumers. This approach is based on the belief that people can and do recover from mental illness. Furthermore, the Recovery model asserts that all treatment interventions should be planned and carried out in a real partnership between the consumer and the mental health treatment team. This encourages the consumer to be a more active participant in the treatment process and research shows that this leads to better outcomes.