About Healthy Minds
Our Story
A collaborative approach to mental health systems transformation
An estimated 578,000 Oklahoma adults — one in five — experience mental illness, and 225,000 have a substance use disorder. Too many of these Oklahomans go without mental health treatment, and the consequences are felt in our families, businesses, schools, and the criminal justice system.
Healthy Minds Policy Initiative was founded in 2019 by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation to convene partners and create a culture of problem solving on mental health issues. Originally focused on the Tulsa area, Healthy Minds now operates statewide with employees and projects across Oklahoma.
Implementing a vision for healthier communities
Since its inception, Healthy Minds has published dozens of pieces of original research and analysis, helped secure tens of millions of dollars in competitive funding for Oklahoma’s behavioral health care system, and initiated more than a dozen community-based partnerships committed to ending untreated mental illness and substance use. Healthy Minds provides data, consultation, and education on best practices to Oklahoma legislators and other leaders committed to improving the mental health of all Oklahomans.
Our Core Values
Healthier, thriving communities
We are optimistic about the future of Oklahoma and believe bold change is possible.
We focus on the big picture to make systemic change.
We develop tailored solutions for specific communities.
Empowering others to succeed
We earn trust by being reliable, honest, and humble.
We build capacity in others by integrating partners into our work.
We celebrate the accomplishments of, and are accountable to, our partners, peers, and colleagues.
Solutions that work
We translate ideas into action through a rigorous review of the evidence.
We maintain subject-matter competence through proactive learning.
We engage with the people most impacted by our work.
Our Core Values
Healthier, thriving communities
We are optimistic about the future of Oklahoma and believe bold change is possible.
We focus on the big picture to make systemic change.
We develop tailored solutions for specific communities.
Empowering others to succeed
We earn trust by being reliable, honest, and humble.
We build capacity in others by integrating partners into our work.
We celebrate the accomplishments of, and are accountable to, our partners, peers, and colleagues.
Solutions that work
We translate ideas into action through a rigorous review of the evidence.
We maintain subject-matter competence through proactive learning.
We engage with the people most impacted by our work.
