Welcome to the newly formed Oklahoma Counselors in Higher Education (OCHE) organization. Our organization serves as a resource for service providers working primarily in higher education settings. We welcome all mental health and substance abuse service providers and administrators over mental health and substance abuse units in Oklahoma higher education settings to join. Through information sharing, networking, innovation, developing and sharing of best practices, and continuing education offerings, OCHE will strengthen pre-existing service units on our Oklahoma college campuses. We endeavor to advance our goals through a presence on the World Wide Web, regular meetings, and use of listserv technology to harness our individual expertise to benefit our members. Come on and join the dialogue and professional revitalization that membership in OCHE can bring! Together, we are stronger and wiser than we are as individuals.
Mission Statement:
Oklahoma Counselors in Higher Education exists to share knowledge and group wisdom among clinicians and administrators regarding the mental health and substance abuse service challenges facing Oklahoma colleges and universities, to improve service provision, and enhance the quality of educational experiences on our college campuses.
About Our Organization:
Our organization was founded in the spring of 2011 by Dr. Bruce Lochner as a response to the recommendations of the Campus Life Safety and Security task force that was created by executive order of Governor Brad Henry. The creation of our organization was inspired from the reports and committee work done in Oklahoma following the high profile shooting at Virginia Tech University. Task force findings highlighted the paucity of mental health and substance abuse services available on Oklahoma colleges and universities. Our organization works with entities such as the Regional University System of Oklahoma, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and individual private practitioners to strengthen services to students of Oklahoma colleges and universities.