CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - As the holiday season arrives, the 988 New Mexico Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7, offering free support for people experiencing mental health, emotional, or substance use crises.
“During the holidays, many people are carrying more than usual, and no one should have to go through that alone,” said Kari Armijo, secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority. “If you need someone to listen, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 to connect you with trained counselors and support when you need it most.”
While the holidays can be joyful, they can also intensify stress and hardship. Work-related pressure, family or cultural expectations, financial strain, shorter daylight hours, and feelings of loneliness or grief can contribute to emotional distress this time of year.
The 988 lifeline connects callers, texters, and chat users with trained behavioral health professionals who provide compassionate, non-judgmental support and can connect people with helpful resources when needed. Support is available by calling or texting 988, or by chatting at 988lifeline.org.
Since the lifeline launched in July 2022, 988 has responded to more than 127,000 calls, texts, or chats.
Cibola County Data Snapshot
Data from the New Mexico Department of Health shows Cibola County’s age-adjusted suicide death rate was 30.1 deaths per 100,000 population for 2017– 2021, based on 38 deaths (95% confidence interval: 20.4 to 39.8) over a population denominator of 135,416.
Cibola County does not have 100,000 residents. Cibola’s actual population is about 26,686 (July 1, 2024 estimate). Public health rates are reported ‘per 100,000’ to compare communities of different sizes; Cibola’s 2017–2021 suicide death rate of 30.1 per 100,000 translates to roughly about eight deaths per year, and the New Mexico Department of Health reports 38 total deaths in the county over that five-year period Statewide data cited by the Department of Health also shows that over the decade 2008– 2017, age-adjusted suicide death rates increased 14% overall, increasing 18% for males while decreasing 2% for females. Over that same period, male suicide death rates rose from about three times the female rate to more than 3.5 times higher.
For readers who may be struggling — or who are worried about someone else — local officials say help is available at any hour, including on holidays. If you need someone to talk to, the 988 Lifeline is open 24/7.