Funding cuts leading to fewer beds at mental health facility in Norman

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Funding cuts are leading to fewer beds at a Norman mental health facility.

The Red Rock Behavioral Health Center will soon only be able to treat half the number of patients.

Verna Foust is the CEO of Red Rock Behavioral Health Services Crisis Stabilization, and she said starting July 1, the number of beds will decrease from 40 to 20.

"We admit about 2,000 people to that crisis unit every year. So, it will be a decrease of about a thousand admissions a year," said Foust. "It just saddens me to see what's happening this year with the public mental health system."

Foust said the crisis unit services all 77 counties.

"They are designed for adults and children who are in a psychiatric crisis, and the average length of stay is about 5 to 7 days," said Foust.

Foust said the cuts have to happen because the crisis unit is not receiving the same amount of money they once were.

"For this year, we anticipate having somewhere between $12 and $14 million worth of indigent care that we are not going to get compensated for," said Foust.

The CEO said that within the last three years, the crisis unit has lost around $10 million.

"Last year, we lost $2.8 million. This year we're anticipating losing $4.5 million," said Foust.

Foust said that although she hopes the community isn't noticeably affected, she does think it will have an impact.

"I think one of the things that's going to happen is it's going to be a bigger burden on law enforcement, because if a bed is not available in Norman, they will have to drive to other parts of the state where there is a crisis bed available," said Foust.

Oklahoma Lawmakers said they are worried about how the cuts will affect the state.

"I think we have to look at there's going to be a bigger cost down the road, but I'm not surprised," said Oklahoma Senator Julia Kirk.