265 Mile Run Raises Mental Health Treatment Funds in Oklahoma

A 265-mile run right through Oklahoma will raise $20,000 for free mental health treatment programs serving children whose families are hurt by addiction. Fitness trainer Eli Morin, a Ponca City native now in Houston, plans to start at the Red River on October 23 and reach the Kansas border by October 26. 

If everything works out, this’ll be the fastest known time for the route while collecting donations for Peaceful Family Oklahoma in Edmond. The route passes several local communities large and small.

Mental Health Intersects Addictions

In a nutshell, a dual diagnosis describes a person living with both a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. Untreated childhood trauma raises the risk of both. Integrated treatment that addresses multiple conditions together produces better outcomes than treating either one alone.

In the case of Oklahoma, one in four kids is affected by addiction in their family. These kids are 8x more likely to experience addiction themselves. Growing up around a parent or caregiver with a substance use disorder often involves instability, secrecy and emotional strain that can leave lasting effects on a child’s mental health.

Without early support, that childhood exposure can develop into co-occurring conditions in adolescence and adulthood, where trauma or depression exist alongside drugs. That’s why Peaceful Family Oklahoma focuses on children specifically rather than only on family members with addictions.

Treatment Approaches Mentioned

Peaceful Family Oklahoma offers trauma-informed programs at no cost to families. Children and teens connect with peers, learn about addiction as a brain disease, recognize their own strengths and practice healthy ways to respond to challenges rather than think of it in terms of shame.

Trauma-informed care recognizes how family addiction shapes kids’ sense of safety and self-worth and avoids framing them as the problem. Group connection with peers is critical since isolation is the most common experience reported by youngsters.

Morin chose the organization because of its focus on children. 

Oklahoma Families are OK

For children and teens affected by family addiction, effective care includes outpatient counseling like those from Peaceful Family Oklahoma. Behavioral therapy helps young people build healthy coping skills.

Families looking for higher levels of care can explore residential treatment centers that specialize in adolescent care and co-occurring disorders. Keep in mind that nonprofit programs and Medicaid-funded behavioral treatment centers make care accessible.

Treatment in The Sooner State & Beyond

Families can take heart that early support for children can change the long-term picture. If you’re not in Oklahoma, no worries. Our comprehensive directory features mental health treatment facilities and dual diagnosis treatment programs in all 50 states.

You can also dial 800-908-4823 (Sponsored) to speak with a specialist and explore options in your neighborhood.

Author

Courtney Myers, MS

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Courtney Myers has more than 15 years of experience in online writing and editing. Since graduating from N.C. State University with an MS in Technical Communication, she’s helped clients improve their visibility and reach through expert-level content creation. She specializes in addiction recovery and behavioral healthcare topics.

Editor

Peter Lee, PhD

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Peter W.Y. Lee is a writer and historian of American history during the Cold War. His primary focus is the relationship between youth and popular culture and its impact on U.S. society during the twentieth century. He has published widely on how the public has used popular culture as a mechanism to address political and social shifts throughout time