An upcoming community forum will focus on the rising number of residents with mental illnesses and substance use disorders entering Oklahoma's jails and prisons.

The Oklahoman is hosting a community forum at 6:30 p.m. March 30 at District House, 1755 NW 16.

At the forum, Oklahomans diagnosed with a mental illness or who have experienced addiction will share their personal stories.

Also, criminal justice professionals, including Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, will talk about what barriers they face in trying to keep Oklahomans with mental illnesses and substance use disorders out of prison.

Audience members will be able to ask questions during the discussion.

The event is free, but seating will be limited. Residents interested in attending can RSVP by emailing oklahomanevents@oklahoman.com with the subject line "Mental health event."

This discussion is part of health reporter Jaclyn Cosgrove's yearlong project on mental illness and addiction in Oklahoma, titled "Epidemic Ignored," which focuses on barriers that low-income, uninsured Oklahomans face in trying to find quality, consistent care. 

OrionNet is an Oklahoma small business founded in 2001. OrionNet has designed, developed and supported applications created both for the client-server and web environments, as well as developing, marketing and supporting a commercial application for the counseling centers industry.

Visit the OrionNet Systems’ website, www.iorion.com, or their social media pages,https://twitter.com/ThinkHealth & https://www.facebook.com/pages/OrionNet-Systems/139352156150090 for more information.

 

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