Mental health support line launched

The New Mexico Human Services Department recently launched a statewide mental health support line to help residents experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cope with COVID-19 Crisis Counseling program provides free and confidential short-term mental health services to New Mexico residents.

Anyone seeking free and confidential counseling to cope with social isolation and other challenges brought on by the pandemic can call (505) 954-1057. The phone line is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The operator will connect callers with a crisis counselor within 24 hours.

“It can be helpful to talk to someone when you are facing anxiety, depression and stress, which are common emotions to experience when dealing with all the uncertainties 0f the pandemic,” said Neal A. Bowen, director of the Behavioral Health Services Division. “Through this program, we are connecting New Mexicans with crisis counselors who can provide support to those who are feeling overwhelmed and stressed.”

A June survey from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 40.9% of respondents reported “at least one adverse mental or behavioral health condition,” including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress and substance abuse, with rates that were three to four times the rates one year earlier.

Of the 5,412 U.S. adults surveyed, 10.7% reported seriously considering suicide in the last 30 days.

COVID-19 crisis counseling helps people and groups having psychological reactions to large-scale federally declared disasters recover.

Disaster crisis counseling is a strength-based, outreach-oriented approach to help those affected by disasters understand they are having a normal reaction to an unusual situation, identify their needs and link them to personal and local community resources.

Crisis counselors also work to enhance social and emotional connections to others in the community and promote effective coping strategies and resilience. Those counselors work closely with community organizations to get to know the available resources and connect survivors to needed services.

The National Center for Health Statistics partnered with the U.S. Census Bureau to obtain information on the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms. New Mexico ranked third-highest in the country for those symptoms.

To date, over 6,000 people have been served by the state program. This program ends in the fall.

The Cope with COVID-19 Crisis Counseling program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is designed to improve and lessen the emotional and behavioral trauma caused by the pandemic.

The Human Services Department’s Behavioral Health Support Division has contracted with FEMA-trained certified peer support workers and community support workers through contracts with Life Link Training Institute and Presbyterian Medical Services to provide these free and confidential COVID trauma crisis services aimed at the unique emotional COVID-induced trauma facing Native Americans, Spanish-language speakers, school-age youth, parents, teachers, justice-involved individuals, housing insecure and homeless, elderly and those quarantining in care centers.

The statewide Coping with COVID-19 Crisis Counseling campaign includes targeted click to call, digital search, billboards, convenience store window clings and posters, transit, radio, TV, vaccine center magnets, social media, and culturally appropriate direct pueblo outreach.

The Human Services Department provides services and benefits to more than 1 million New Mexicans through several programs including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, food-stamp programs, child support program and several behavioral health services.