By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the resignation of Oklahoma’s anti-LGBTQ+ Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, the Rainbow Youth Project observed a 36% decrease in crisis calls from the state. Prior to Walters’ departure, the hotline received an average of 1,431 monthly calls, with 64% of callers identifying him as a source of distress. This drop in calls comes after a period where calls surged, particularly following the death of a transgender student, and when many calls concerned bullying incidents related to anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Notably, Walters’ tenure was marked by controversial actions, including attempts to implement Christian Nationalist policies and measures seen as harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.
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Calls to suicide hotline decline sharply after Christian conservative resigns as education head. Teachers have literally been celebrating his departure, and it’s a stark illustration of the impact political figures can have on the well-being of a community. The situation in Oklahoma, where the former education head’s tenure was marked by controversy, seems to be a clear case study. The numbers tell a compelling story, with a significant increase in calls to the Rainbow Youth Project’s hotline during his time in office.
That increase was particularly pronounced following the tragic death of a transgender student, Nex Benedict, in 2024. The crisis line saw a staggering 238% rise in calls from Oklahoma. This suggests a direct correlation between the political climate, the policies implemented, and the mental health of the state’s youth. The environment created by the former education head seemingly contributed to a sense of anxiety, fear, and desperation among vulnerable populations, which manifested in a need for crisis intervention.
Now, after the resignation of Ryan Walters, the narrative shifts dramatically. The executive director of the Rainbow Youth Project, Lance Preston, has observed a substantial decrease in crisis calls from Oklahoma. The relief expressed by callers is described as “palpable,” highlighting the positive impact the departure has had on the mental well-being of the community. This reversal of trends is a powerful endorsement of the fact that changes in leadership and policy can have profound, and often immediate, effects on the lives of those they govern.
The relief felt by callers is not the only sign of the community’s response. The fact that teachers are literally celebrating his departure is another important signal of the overall impact. This suggests a broader dissatisfaction with the former education head’s policies and approach. It is clear that the former education head’s tenure was marked by unpopularity across a wide range of groups. The celebratory atmosphere around his exit speaks to the deep-seated frustration and the yearning for a more supportive and inclusive environment.
One of the issues raised is the impact of voting Republican in Oklahoma. The argument presented is that the state’s consistently low rankings in education, high rates of domestic violence, child hunger, and incarceration of women are directly linked to the policies enacted by the Republican Party, including those of the former education head. This perspective underscores the idea that political decisions have direct consequences and that the choices made at the ballot box have very real effects on people’s lives.
The comparison to the education system’s challenges highlights the magnitude of the problems in Oklahoma. The state is ranked last in education, and this suggests a failure to provide the basic resources and support necessary for young people to thrive. The narrative suggests that the former education head’s focus on non-secular policies was not only unpopular but also contributed to the state’s educational decline.
The former education head’s initiatives, such as the attempt to make Bibles mandatory in schools, further fueled controversy and division. These actions appear to have intensified the very issues that contributed to the increase in crisis calls. The impact of such policies may have made vulnerable populations feel marginalized and unsafe, contributing to an overall sense of unease.
The discussion touches on the politics of the state, including concerns about transparency and accountability. The fact that the state hired a political figure’s ex-wife at taxpayer expense for communications work, despite the state’s objections, raises questions about the allocation of resources and the integrity of the hiring process. This perception of impropriety further contributes to the overall sense of discontent within the community.
The comments also reflect broader frustrations with the political landscape. The comparisons to other political figures and the use of the term “American Hitler’s new Secretary Of (Mis)Education” express the depth of the negative feelings that surrounded the former education head. Such comments highlight the intensely polarized environment and the high stakes of these political battles.
The overall takeaway is a clear message about the impact of political leadership. When a leader’s actions and policies align with the values of the community, the results can be positive, fostering an environment of support, opportunity, and well-being. Conversely, when leadership fails to support the needs of the community, particularly the most vulnerable, the consequences can be profound and devastating. The decline in calls to the suicide hotline following the former education head’s departure serves as a tangible measure of this impact, underscoring the importance of responsible governance and the profound consequences of political decisions.