Episode 10: Mental Health Policy

Tell us your story! We'd love to hear from you!In this episode of Mindful Moments with the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Council, we sit down with Daniel Pae to explore what mental health policy really looks like from inside the Oklahoma State Capitol and what it could become. From his early entry into public service to his leadership on the legislative mental health caucus, Rep. Pae shares the personal experiences and policy priorities that have shaped his commitment to mental health advocacy.Together, we dig into the realities of Oklahoma’s behavioral health system, what stability actually means for providers and patients, and how lawmakers can balance accountability with consistency in a system that people’s lives depend on. We also take a closer look at the shift away from criminalizing mental illness, including the growing role of 988 and mobile crisis response. What would it take to build a true continuum of care in Oklahoma, and where do we want to go next?Finally, Rep. Pae offers insight into the realities of bipartisan work at the Capitol and speaks directly to young adults who feel disconnected from the political process, sharing why their voices still matter, even in a system that can feel out of reach.If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the U.S. to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.If you are or if you know someone between 18 and 25 who would like to be on the NAMI Oklahoma NextGen Advisory Council, please use this link: https://namioklahoma.org/get-involved/next-gen/If you are interested in registering for NAMIWalks Oklahoma on May 16, 2026, in Lower Scissortail Park, please use the following link:https://www.namiwalks.org/oklahomaFollow us on Instagram and Facebook, and check out the NAMI Oklahoma website for more information on services and upcoming events.The experiences and opinions shared on this podcast are those of the individuals and are not meant to directly reflect the beliefs of NAMI or NAMI Oklahoma.Hosts: Emma Valgora and Anna BennettResearch/Producer: Sydney YaffeEditor: Halee HarderRecorded at the Oklahoma State CapitolNAMI Oklahoma Staff Mentors: Jason Musgrove and Lorna Palmer