The New Mexico Health Care Authority has been chosen to be part of a national initiative, alongside seven other state agencies, aimed at enhancing behavioral health services. This initiative is spearheaded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and intends to improve mental health services, diminish disparities, and boost access to behavioral health across various communities.
Nick Boukas, the director of the Health Care Authority’s Behavioral Health Services Division, highlighted the importance of community input in enhancing behavioral health systems. He stated, “Improving behavioral health systems starts with listening to communities. By engaging our staff in opportunities like this, we create solutions that are not only effective but rooted in the realities and needs of the people we serve.”
The learning collaborative aims to unite behavioral health leaders to facilitate peer learning, exchange innovative and evidence-based practices, and advocate effective implementation. The initiative involves practical, hands-on work to identify best practices that states can adopt successfully.
Annabelle Martinez, deputy director of the Health Care Authority’s Behavioral Health Services Division, and Bianca Shultz, provider relations coordinator, will represent New Mexico in this collaborative effort. Martinez expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a great opportunity to share what has worked in New Mexico and to learn from others across the country on how we can center communities as we build a stronger behavioral health workforce. I’m happy to be participating in this collaborative and look forward to putting lessons learned into practice here at home.”
The insights gained from this initiative will be instrumental in promoting community engagement, identifying and overcoming obstacles to meaningful participation, and documenting best practices for community-driven behavioral health care throughout the state.
