New Mexico has been working diligently to increase mental health support for people all across the state. Working with the federal government, New Mexico’s Department of Veteran’s Services has been able to increase mental health support to veterans. Recently, the Federal Communications Commission changed over the traditional, 10-digit suicide prevention line to a much simpler three digit “988” code which, when dialed, will connect the caller to a mental health professional. The federal government has been working for several weeks to include a special line for America’s veterans.
Now, when veterans dial 988, they can hit the number “1” and be connected to a professional who specializes in veteran’s mental health.
This is part of a nationwide initiative to make mental health access more accessible to Americans. The NM Department of Veterans Services said in statement, “Mental health advocates are hoping calling 988 will replace emergency calls to 9-1-1 for mental health crises. According to [the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs], while 9-1-1 dispatchers are prepared to send first responders and support callers during an emergency, staffers linked to the 988 number are counselors specifically trained to immediately handle distraught callers, access records, and send help.” This change to 988 comes as NMDVS joins Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s “Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families” initiative which is aimed at protecting the mental health and overall wellbeing of NM’s veterans. NMDVS Secretary Sonya Smith said that her department will be focused on, “identifying priorities, organizing efforts and developing veteran suicide prevention strategies and outreach.”
DVS recently had a meeting to discuss what they can do to further mental health support for veterans. “The new national 988 phone number is a tremendous development,” said Secretary Smith. “But we will do more here in New Mexico. I am honored that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has tasked our agency to lead the state’s veteran and service member suicide prevention effort. We’ve learned a lot from our initial meeting and will be implementing a plan soon.” While the focus of the extension is for veteran’s mental health, the state reminds New Mexicans that 988 can be accessed by anyone at anytime to help address mental health crises. Members of the Cibola County community can reach out to the Village of Milan Police Department, which is offering a program called You Are Not Alone. YANA is a program where residents will receive a daily phone call from a volunteer to talk and make sure that residents are okay. The program is to help combat loneliness in Cibola and lend a listening ear. Call MPD at 505-285-3466, the department will not run a background check or endanger your privacy, this program is designed with security and your safety in mind. You will not be arrested for seeking help.