To address mental health concerns during COVID-19, Bernalillo County created an app designed to assist the community in finding essential resources.

Community Program Specialist Evan Gonzales told KRQE before Thanksgiving that ease of service was the goal of the app. The app uses GPS to locate services and the distance a person is away from what they need. He said this is good for those who do not have transportation and may need to walk to get service.

“We’ve seen a lot of our clients and community members succeed with that because they’re finally able to find those services that are close to them,” Gonzales said.

The Department of Behavioral Health Services operates a detox facility called Care Campus, and Gonzales said that as clients are discharged they encourage them to download the app. Gonzales said the app has been beneficial so far for clients and is available for Android and iPhone users.

The Department of Behavioral Health Services also offers an overnight detox service known as the Public Inebriate Intervention Program, which is a place where people can safely come off substances. The Crisis Stabilization Unit works with emergency rooms and hospitals to offer services but also not take up extra hospital space. This is all through the Behavioral Health Initiative which also makes the app possible.

“Isolation, along with other factors really caused individuals to recognize behavioral health needs, whether it’s for themselves, a loved one, a family member, a friend,” Gonzales said an interview with KRQE. “So we really took that to heart and as we continue services as a department, we also realized people need resources.”

To download the app and find more information about mental health services offered in Bernalillo County, log onto Bernco.gov.