Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that New Mexico has made significant progress in behavioral health access, highlighting increased provider growth, expanded services, and reduced suicide rates. The statement was made during a live stream on February 27.
"New Mexico ranks seventh in the country for providing treatment to individuals with mental illness," said Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico, according to Facebook. "We delivered 4.3 million behavioral health visits. The provider growth is more than 100%, 103.8% in Medicaid-enrolled psychiatric providers, and a 73% increase in all the other essential professionals."
According to the live stream, New Mexico has seen improvements in behavioral health outcomes, including a 42% decrease in suicide rates among women and a 43% decline in Native American communities, with notable impacts on teenagers. Since 2018, behavioral health visits have increased by 68%, largely due to Medicaid policy changes eliminating co-pays and expanding reimbursement rates. Additionally, the state has added 926 new behavioral health providers to improve access to care. These advancements align with the state’s commitment to investing $1 billion in behavioral health initiatives.
As per the Governor's website, House Bill 8 introduces key behavioral health reforms by establishing community-based competency restoration programs for non-violent offenders and expanding court-mandated treatment options for individuals deemed incompetent. The bill also strengthens secure facility commitments for violent offenders with competency issues, aiming to reduce repeat offenses while ensuring proper mental health treatment.
New Mexico's suicide rate dropped 42% among women and 43% among American Indian/Alaska Native residents in 2023, contributing to an overall 9% decline, according to the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). Despite this progress, the rate remains 9% higher than a decade ago, pointing to the need for continued prevention efforts and expanded behavioral health services, NM Health reports.
Grisham is New Mexico’s 32nd governor and the first Democratic Latina U.S. governor. A former Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair, she has prioritized education, healthcare, and economic growth. A 12th-generation New Mexican, she holds a law degree from the University of New Mexico.
