CRSOK Summer 2023 Newsletter

Youth Evaluation Services (YES) Tulsa is saving lives with urgent youth crisis stabilization services.

YES Tulsa, an addition to our already existing crisis stabilization facility, The CALM Center, provides comprehensive intervention services for youth and their families in crisis situations. Since its beginnings in January 2022 and, as of publication date, YES Tulsa has served 417 youth, ages 5 - 17. 83% were diverted from hospitalization and discharged to a lower level of coordinated care, which speaks to the effectiveness of the YES Tulsa program model.

YES has a professional staff of licensed therapists, nurse practitioners, and life coaches offering a range of services, including a crisis assessment team, crisis stabilization, a mobile crisis team, transportation, and prevention services. There are family-style rooms for decompression and respite from a difficult situation where the entire family can work through the crisis together. The goal of YES Tulsa is to help clients move from an urgent crisis to a more calm, balanced state, and subsequent care is coordinated and planned for them. 97% of clients are discharged within 24 hours of arriving to the facility.

Since schools/school counselors count for YES Tulsa’s highest referral rate (at 28%), as summer approaches and kids are not in school, parents, caregivers, friends and family members need to be vigilant about watching our children for signs of crisis.

Signs could include:

• isolation, sadness, hopelessness

• mood/sleep/appetite changes

• low self esteem

• less activity

• fears/worries about routine, everyday life

• irritability

• trouble concentrating

• extreme self-consciousness

• sensitivity to criticism,

• avoidance of new/difficult situations

• chronic physical complaints (stomachaches or headaches)

YES Tulsa is open 24/7. Clients can call 918.779.HELP or walk-in to the facility located at 9912 East 21st Street.

Board of Directors

CHAIR

Deneisha Johnson

The January Collective

VICE CHAIR

Aaron Armstrong BancFirst

MEMBERS

Rebecca Bennett

Red Door Multimedia Group

Capt. Stephen Boyes

Tulsa Police Department

Shelley Denny

Cherokee Nation Business

Angela Dotson

University of Tulsa

Angela Elmore

Tulsa Community College

Paden Ferguson Fulcrum

Dennis Howell

Gig Wage

Jason Prideaux ORU

Paula Shannon

Tulsa Public Schools

Joshua Tanusaputra

Career Development Partners

Robin Berkstresser Walters

Rogue Recruiting

BOARD INTERN

Brittany Conley

Leadership Tulsa

Board Member Spotlight

Aaron Armstrong Vice Chair/BancFirst

Aaron was introduced to CRSOK by a colleague and former Board Chair and soon began to realize just how big the need for mental health services is in Tulsa and the surrounding area. Aaron had been searching for a way to give back to the community in an impactful way and, after doing the research and learning more about the services provided by this great organization, felt a duty to give his time and energy to this worthy cause.

Mental health is a very serious issue in today’s society and it’s Aaron’s hope that his small impact to CRSOK, along with the rest of his fellow board members, will help make a positive difference in people’s lives and for the betterment of the community.

Aaron was born in Tulsa and grew up in Verdigris (about 25 minutes Northeast of Tulsa off Route 66). He attended the University of Oklahoma, obtaining a finance degree and moved out of state to start his career in commercial banking. After several years of being away, Aaron moved back to Oklahoma and eventually Tulsa, where he is a commercial lender with BancFirst.

Aaron enjoys quality time with his wife Brittany and their son Curtis, spending time outdoors fishing/hunting, working on their land (tractor time) and taking family vacations when possible.

Paden Furgeson Fulcrum

“It’s okay to not be okay.”

These words have been pivotal in Paden’s own mental health journey. He had a moment of crisis in his childhood but was afraid to find help. As a young male, the pressure from societal norms to “suck it up” and the idea that “boys don’t cry” kept him from sharing how he felt inside.

Paden was introduced to Counseling and Recovery Services of Oklahoma by a current board member. As soon as he learned about it, he instantly felt like he had to be a part of it. Thankfully, his mom was able to get him the help he needed when he needed it most. However, not everyone is as fortunate. Paden wants to help CRSOK further their mission. He believes his own personal experience will help him achieve this and make an impact on our community.

Today, Paden’s life looks a lot different! He is focused on growing his family, He had an amazing college experience at Oklahoma State University (Go Pokes!), he’s been lucky enough to land a job where he can work from home to better support his family, and he has 3 energetic golden retrievers. None of this would have been possible if he had not gotten the help he needed. It means a lot to Paden to be in a position where he can help others and make a true impact on the lives of those in his community.

Community Activities

Oklahoma’s 988 License Plate

Oklahoma is the first state to feature the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on a state license plate. You can order the plate now for $40 and $25 goes to fund suicide prevention efforts coordinated by the Alliance of Mental Health Providers of Oklahoma in partnership with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

YES Tulsa Community Collaboration

We were so excited to have The Parent Child Center of Tulsa tour our YES Tulsa center this morning. Collaboratively, we can help the youth in our community who are struggling with a variety of issues. Our Program Director Solmaz Bulut conducted the tour.

Children’s Department Mental Health Awareness Month Recognition

May is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month and we are shining a spotlight on the importance of caring for every child’s mental health and reinforcing that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development. Create conversations on recognizing mental health in children when you walk through the hall of 7010, our Yale location and read the many hands on the tree. The kids in our program participated in a big way; writing down their successes, creating affirmations, identifying coping strategies, and sharing who their supports are. There’s some really fun drawings on the hands too! Each week, we are focusing on a fact to bring awareness of Children’s Mental Health. We hope this will help reduce any stigma, promote positive choices in managing mental health, and recognize that no matter how big or small, how you feel matters. We are here to help, please feel free to reach out to us if you know a child who would benefit from our services. Thank you to our amazing Children’s Department for all the work they do each day Rebecca Ohler, Donna Cole, Lyndsey Rodriguez, Cardell Johnson, Shaelee Glenn, Kimberley Harmon, Elizabeth Martin, Catherine Summerson, Robert Raymond, Jaclyn Darnell, Jennifer Satterlee, and Shaina Jemmott (not pictured but missed is Kristi Patovisti).

Dine to Donate Events

Thank you to everyone who had dinner at the Chipotle at 61st & Yale on May 10th! Because of you, we are receiving a check for $221!

For those who missed it, we have another opportunity coming up in June at Panda Express for you to have a meal while supporting us!

Check out below!

Now a days, people are creating summer bucket lists -things they hope to do during the upcoming summer. Because family is important, we are here to help you plan. No matter how simple or complex your will or estate plan may be, you can create a sound strategy and plan for the future. There is so much that goes into this process, and Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma can teach you simple ways to take the first steps and assist you along the way.

No matter what season of life it is, now is the time to take action and rest assured you've provided yourself and your family the best opportunities! Add estate planning to your summer bucket list and contact our Legacy Office today!