By Silas Bales
J.D. Baker pushes for people to understand mental illness because he knows how important it is.
So important that the special assistant to the mayor of Oklahoma City watches ’80s sitcoms like “Golden Girls” to wind down at the end of his day. This allows him to relax. “I always say take one day at a time,” Baker said, noting that “managing stress is important.”
Baker’s roots in community and mental health awareness trace to his time as a radio announcer for his church. Baker said that time in radio was the most influential in his life.
“I will never forget meeting Clara Luper,” Baker said of the celebrated civil rights activist. “I’ll also never forget meeting the former president of the firefighter’s union.
“It (radio) just made me think more broadly about how the world works, the importance of community and discourse, and how the movement and sharing of ideas can be turned into action,” Baker said.
One in four Oklahomans will experience a mental illness, according to Jeff Dismukes, director of public information at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. “Only one in three get the service that they need to be well,” Dismukes said.
Baker has long been an advocate for mental health awareness, and trying to help mental illness. In his time at the University of Oklahoma, not only did he become the student body president, he also founded OUr Mental Health, an organization that promotes and spreads awareness about mental health in the OU community.
He had to hand over the reins shortly after he started the organization however, because, “my mental health had taken a huge toll,” he said. Baker says that this was a difficult time for him and he needed to step away for a bit.
Ed Kelley, the dean of the Gaylord College as Baker pursued his degree in public relations, saw him as an inspiration to the students and faculty around him. Kelley said that Baker’s time at OU was an example to others of what they should be doing.
“He set the standard for how someone like me looks at student leaders, in our building and around the campus,” Kelley said. “He sets the bar for how you engage with other people.”
Kelley also mentioned how Baker’s ability to persuade people helps him lead so effectively.
“He has the ability to get people to pay attention to him no matter what the message he is delivering at that particular time,” Kelley said.
In his new role in Oklahoma City, Baker still works to promote mental wellness. His current project aims to prevent veteran suicides, where he works with a local coalition to prevent this with service members, veterans and their families.
“We want to bring resources to that particular audience so that they know there is help and opportunities to connect,” Baker said. “What we are finding is that connectedness to resources, other veterans and their families really helps bring up their mental wellness.”
Even throughout all of these amazing things Baker has done, his passion lies in helping people, regardless of what he is doing. Baker enjoys gathering tools and creating relationships to help other people.
“It brings a joy to see others flourish as people, as professionals,” Baker said. “The tools I share with you all can then be shared with others, especially in a time of need.”
