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The need to reform mental-health treatment standards is expected to be a major push by the New Mexico governor during the 2025 legislative session. (TatyanaGladskih/Adobe Stock)

Substance misuse, suicide mortality rates decline slightly

The most recent data from the group Trust for America's Health show overdoses and suicides remain at historic levels - despite a small decrease in 202…

Nationwide, 55% of U.S. mental health visits are remote, according to a study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. (JPC-PROD/Adobe Stock)

New Mexicans invited to join virtual telehealth conference today

Until the pandemic, telehealth and telemedicine were still outliers in health care but they have gone mainstream, especially benefiting underserved …

The New Mexico Department of Health estimated 42% of Americans know someone who has died of drug overdose. (VictorMoussa/AdobeStock)

New Mexico expands opioid treatment options

Expanded treatment for opioid addiction is now available in New Mexico. The state's Department of Health is offering medication-assisted treatment …

New Mexico was the 15th state to expand access to community-based mental health and substance use crisis care through President Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan. (Prostock-studio/Adobe Stock)

Mental health hotline helps thousands in New Mexico

Residents of Western states, including New Mexico, are at a high risk of suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but …

States ranked lowest in the new Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation tend to have more children of color in their populations, highlighting institutionalized and systemic racism. (Diego Cervo/Adobe Stock)

Children's advocates: NM 'cradle to career' investment pays off

Advocates for New Mexico's kids say at the heart of an annual report on child welfare is positive news for the state's families. The Annie E…

More Americans between the ages of 18 and 49 die from opioid overdoses than any other cause, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (JITB/AdobeStock)

Rural New Mexico struggles to prevent, treat drug overdoses

More than 1,000 New Mexicans die from drug overdoses each year, and while there's been a slight drop in overdoses from opioids nationwide, it's …

The number of Americans with health coverage under the American Care Act has doubled since its 2014 launch, according to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (NLawrenson/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

NM aims to reduce out-of-pocket health-care costs for consumers

New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those n…

A new study concludes that while anti-bullying protections in schools are effective, they are likely insufficient to address the mental health struggles of LGBTQ youth. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Study: NM's laws help reduce suicide among LGBTQ youth

A new study suggests laws in New Mexico and 22 other states to protect school-aged LGBTQ youth are having a positive impact. According to research …

In New Mexico, three-quarters of new survey respondents said they do not want protections rolled back on national monuments. (National Park Service)

Poll: Voters in NM, other Western states consistently support conservation

A new poll showed New Mexico voters expressed a deep affection for lands, water and wildlife and want policies offering greater protections. The 14…

Black and Latino youths are more likely to experience a gun homicide closer to their home when compared with white youths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock/Bettencourt/peopleimages.com)

NM lawmakers move gun-control bills forward

Gun control legislation is making headway in the 2024 New Mexico legislative session. On Wednesday, the New Mexico Senate passed a bill to ban guns …

Economic uncertainty, severe weather and other factors beyond their control can lead to mental-health challenges for farmers and ranchers. (KornFlakes/Adobe Stock)

NMSU program aims to reduce suicide rates among farmers, ranchers

A program has launched in New Mexico to help farmers and ranchers experiencing mental-health issues that could lead to suicide. Workload, debt…

The number of Hispanic students enrolled in college increased by 45% between 2009 and 2019. (Antonio Tanaka/Adobe Stock)

Survey: Hispanic college students struggling more than others

The percentage of Hispanic college students who report they're struggling to stay in school increased 5% from 2021 to 2022, and was higher than for …

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has found trauma is present in almost every age, race, ability, and socioeconomic group. (MNStudios/Pixabay)

NM Teachers Have Tools to Ease 'Back to School' Transition

Since the pandemic, back-to-school season brings up a lot of emotions for parents and kids, and can be even harder for those affected by a school …

The average young person knows at least one other person who's been injured or killed by a gun, according to a survey by Everytown for Gun Safety and the Southern Poverty Law Center. (michelmond/Adobe Stock)

Report: Young Americans Feel Unsafe, Support Stricter Gun Laws

Some 74% of young people in the U.S. believe gun violence is a problem, and almost 60% want to see stricter gun laws, according to a new report from …

One in five U.S. adults, or nearly 53 million people, lived with a mental illness in 2020, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. (NLawrenson/peopleimages.com/AdobeStock)

DACA Weighs on Some During BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month

Racism and discrimination act as stressors to increase mental health vulnerability, according to experts, especially for BIPOC individuals; Black…

New Mexico used federal pandemic funds to expand child care assistance, which was replaced by state funding during the 2023 legislative session to prevent a reversal. (nmvoices.org)

NM Kids' Well-Being Falls Short; Child Advocates Expect Turnaround

New Mexico ranks last in a new report on kids' overall well-being by state, but children's advocates said the two-year-old data does not tell the …

The New Mexico Legislature passed a bill this year to provide free IDs for individuals experiencing homelessness. (Seventyfour/AdobeStock)

Study: New Mexico Homelessness Up Nearly 50% in 2023

Rent for New Mexicans has increased 70% since 2017, while wages have only grown by 15%, which is one factor pushing more people into homelessness…

The percentages of high-school students who say they often feel

NM Parents Encouraged to Know When Kids Need Mental Health Intervention

More behavioral-health providers may be enticed to move to New Mexico after a bill passed by the Legislature this year made treatment for behavioral h…

Planning for a Good Death: 'National Healthcare Decisions Day' is April 16

Coincidence or not, the day set aside to get "end-of-life" affairs in order always falls on either side of the day taxes are due to the federal …

Whether it's reading or listening to music, experts say establishing a nightly routine is critical to getting a good night's sleep. (JenkoAtaman/AdobeStock)

Study: New Mexicans Need More Sleep

Getting a good night's sleep often depends on where you live, and also can include your race, age and gender. In New Mexico, the United Health …

A report based on federal data shows New Mexico's rate of homelessness is 12 individuals per 10,000 people, compared with 18 per 10,000 nationwide - lower than neighboring Colorado, also at 18 per 10,000, but higher than Texas at eight per 10,000. (M-SUR/AdobeStock)

NM Homelessness Declines, But Rural Folks Face Barriers

In the past two years, homelessness in America has risen only 1%, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - which …

The average European gets 21 days of vacation each year and takes all of them, while Americans get about 15 days annually and only use about 13, according to New View Strategies. (mimagephotos/AdobeStock)

Study: To Boost Health & Happiness, Treat Your Weekend Like a Vacation

If weekends fail to reduce your stress levels or bring you happiness, behavioral scientists say you should instead think of them more like a vacation…

The Hispanic community in America represents 60 million Latinos - or one in five residents. (magazine.medlineplus.gov)

Report: Latino Families Should Prioritize End-Of-Life Conversations

End-of-life planning, hospice, medical aid in dying - all are difficult decisions, and a new report says Latinos and other underserved communities …

La comunidad hispana en Estados Unidos representa 60 millones de latinos, es decir, uno de cada cinco residentes. (magazine.medlineplus.gov)

Informe: Familias latinas deben priorizar conversaciones sobre el final de la vida

La planificación del final de la vida, los cuidados paliativos, y la ayuda médica para morir, son decisiones difíciles, y un nuevo …

Annual suicides by non-elderly Hispanic adults increased by nearly 36% from 2010 to 2020, while the rate for Hispanic women spiked by 40%, according to a study by the University of New Mexico. (pttcnetwork.org)

Study: Hispanic Suicide Rate Increasing, Highest in Southwest

A study by New Mexico State University shows the number of suicides among U.S. Hispanics is on the rise, in part because they are buying more guns…

The COVID pandemic caused major challenges for families and blunted progress in New Mexico to improve child well-being, according to New Mexico Voices for Children. (DeanMoriarty/Pixaby)

NM Struggles in Child Well-Being Report but Celebrates Positive Trends

Since 2020, New Mexico has been working to create a more cohesive, equitable and effective early-childhood system. But it could be a while before it …

Bans on abortion in Texas and Arizona will make New Mexico, where it is legal, the closest destination for many seeking access to the procedure. (centerforlanduseinterpretation)

Roe Domino Effect: Are Contraception, Gay Rights Next?

Leaders in the equality movement are warning the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade may soon lead to a reversal of other landmark privacy-…

Only three states - Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin - continue to prosecute 17-year-olds in adult courts, according to The Sentencing Project. (AlexasFotos/Pixabay)

Report: Blaming Youth for COVID Crime Wave is False

Data from The Sentencing Project showed the share of crimes in the U.S. committed by young people has fallen by more than half in the past two …

Experts cite a lack of affordable housing, systemic racism and inadequate safety nets as contributors to the nation's homeless crisis. (schluesseldienst/Pixabay)

Santa Fe Converts Route 66 Hotel to Affordable Housing

The conversion of a 60-year-old Santa Fe hotel should offer those seeking affordable housing, including the city's homeless community, a new lease on …

The Journal of the American Medical Association says trans youths with access to gender-affirming care are 60% less likely to have moderate to severe depression and are 73% less suicidal. (MaryBettiniBlank/Pixabay)

States Form Coalition to Counter Anti-LGBTQ Bills

New Mexico and 18 other states have announced plans to introduce legislation they say will be needed to protect transgender kids from civil and crimin…

Unhoused residents who apply to live at Albuquerque's Hope Village must meet the federal definition of homelessness, have a documented mental, emotional or behavioral disorder and income at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. (courtesy Hope Village)

Albuquerque Opens Center of "Hope" for Homeless Population

In the midst of the pandemic, hope was in the air as construction proceeded on a one-of-a-kind housing project to serve a portion of Albuquerque's …

Geneva Ortiz, Tom Elmhorst and Mildred Griffee sort surplus bread as weekly volunteers for Albuquerque's Roadrunner Food Bank. (courtesy photo: rrfb)

Purpose, Better Health Drives New Mexico Volunteers

COVID-19 shutdowns sent many New Mexico volunteers home to isolate, especially those 60 and older. This month, volunteer contributions are being …

According to the Sentencing Project, 25 states and the District of Columbia have banned life sentences without the possibility of parole for people younger than 18. (GerdAltmann/Pixabay)

NM Misses Chance to Ban 'Life Without Parole' Sentences for Youths

With hours remaining in New Mexico's 2022 legislative session, a bill to disallow life sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles was …

Las Cruces' Camp Hope provides temporary, transitional shelter in the form of tents, showers and cooking facilities while people experiencing homelessness transition to permanent housing. (nmcommunityofhope.org)

Desert Hope: A Las Cruces Option for People Who've Been Homeless

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - A new apartment complex built to serve people who've been chronically unhoused in Las Cruces was three-quarters full when it …

Experts say regular outdoor learning opportunities promote greater physical well-being and improved brain function in children. (isakarakus/Pixabay)

Advocates to Congress: Kids Need More Outdoor Learning

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- As Congress considers making significant investments in the nation's child-care system, children's advocates argued now is the …

COVID-19 daily cases could reach 1,000 in New Mexico by the end of August, according to data modeling by Los Alamos National Laboratory. (hed.state.nm.us)

NMSU/UNM Classes Resume, COVID Protocols Announced

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Administrators at New Mexico State University know they're headed into a fall semester this week facing a spike in COVID-19 cases…

New Mexico has joined 10 other states and the District of Columbia in offering a medical aid-in-dying option, through the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act. (helpguide.org)

New Mexico Joins End-of-Life Movement with Governor's Signature

SANTA FE, N.M. - New Mexico residents who are terminally ill but remain mentally capable will soon be able to get medication that allows them to die …

Nearly three million people have died worldwide from COVID-19 since last March, and the pandemic has triggered significant emotional issues for people of all ages. (jhu.edu)

Will Spring Relieve Post-COVID Stress Disorder?

SANTA FE, N.M. -- As New Mexicans welcome spring temperatures, many hope to put the coronavirus pandemic in the rear-view mirror. At the same time…

Activist Dolores Huerta has joined the nonprofit Compassion & Choices in advocating for passage of the Elizabeth Whitefield 'End-of-Life Options Act' in the New Mexico Legislature. (Geralt/Pixabay)

'End-of-Life Options Act' Heads to New Mexico Senate

SANTA FE, N.M. -- For the third time in five years, New Mexico lawmakers are considering legislation to allow a terminally ill patient to seek …

COVID-19 has pushed stress levels among adults in the United States to an all-time high, according to a recent poll for the American Psychological Association. (Photo: heart.org)

COVID-19 Uncertainty Exacerbates Financial Stress

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Even before the pandemic, nearly 40% of people in the U.S. said they wouldn't be able to cover a surprise $400 expense, and the …

New Mexico's governor has announced that business restrictions and the state's face-covering mandate will remain in place at least through August. (Alexandra_Koch/Pixabay)

Santa Fe Homeless Shelters Cooperate to Fight COVID-19

SANTA FE, N.M. - The novel coronavirus pandemic has shown no let-up, but service providers who work with Santa Fe's homeless population are reporting …

A majority of Americans support laws that allow family members or police to request temporary removal of guns from a person deemed at risk to themselves or others, according to a 2019 APM Research Lab/Guns & America/Call To Mind survey. (LoveableNinja/Pixabay)

Will New Mexico Be Next "Red-Flag" State?

SANTA FE, N.M. - A "red flag" gun bill is headed to the New Mexico Senate floor for debate - but not without a major revision from the original …

A new analysis shows $61.3 million per year over two years and a one-time investment of $48 million in state capital outlay funds to build permanent supportive housing could solve homelessness in New Mexico. (fantareis/Pixabay)

New Proposal Aims to Solve Homelessness in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. -- Service providers in New Mexico say homelessness is a solvable problem, but only if lawmakers step up funding for two evidence-…

At least 17,000 people experience homelessness in New Mexico in the course of a year, according to New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness. (missionlocal.org)

New Mexico Homeless Shelters Filling Up Quickly

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The homelessness crisis across the country is largely blamed on a lack of affordable housing, and New Mexico is no …

Children who experience a high number of adverse childhood experiences increase their risk of experiencing adult alcoholism, drug abuse and suicide, with children of color facing the highest risk. (neatoday.org)

NM Kids Count Conference to Focus on Childhood Trauma

SANTA FE, N.M. — Research shows when children have a high number of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, they’re likely to struggle …

New Mexico's governor wants to make sure the state is one step ahead of a domestic terrorism act similar to the one earlier this month just 50 miles from Las Cruces, the state's second largest city. (PatrickFeller/Flickr)

New Mexico Explores Measures to Combat Domestic Terrorism

SANTA FE, N.M. — The risk of domestic terrorism will be discussed at a summit in Santa Fe on Wednesday with the goal of preventing a deadly …

Age-related hearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in older people. If untreated, it can lead to depression, according to a new study. (cocoparisienne/Pixabay)

Could Your Depression Be Related to Hearing Loss?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – People often suffer from hearing loss as they age, and new research says that can lead to depression, especially if they …

Congressional legislation supported by U.S. veterans would preserve wilderness in New Mexico, forests in Tennessee, California's Mojave Desert, Utah�s slot canyons and more. (hcn.org)

Military Vets Plead With Congress to Save Public Lands

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico veteran joined other former service members in signing on to a letter asking Congress to pass legislation that …

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NM: Mental Health