Deb Haaland, a prominent political figure and current U.S. Secretary of the Interior, used her social media platform to address several pressing issues facing New Mexico in a series of posts dated September 17 and 18, 2025.
On September 17, Haaland emphasized her ongoing commitment to collaborating with Tribal communities in New Mexico. She stated, "I have and will always work hand in hand with New Mexico's Tribal communities to tackle challenges in affordability, education, health care, and public safety. It's an honor to have the trust of Zuni leaders, and I will fight every day to ensure that every New Mexican family".
Later that day, she addressed the rising suicide rates in the state. In her post on September 17 at 21:15 UTC, Haaland wrote, "With suicides in New Mexico rising, we must act. As Governor, I’ll fight to expand mental health care and make sure every New Mexican knows they are never alone. If you need help, dial 988 for free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support ".
In a subsequent message posted on September 18 at 00:30 UTC, Haaland highlighted economic challenges faced by many residents. She noted that "Every New Mexican should be able to pay their bills and have financial stability, but nearly 400,000 New Mexicans are struggling to make ends meet. I know the struggle -- it's expensive to be poor. I will always work to protect us from the Trump Administration and bring".
These statements come as part of ongoing discussions about affordability issues and access to essential services in New Mexico. The mention of collaboration with Tribal communities reflects longstanding efforts by local leaders to address disparities affecting Indigenous populations across the state. Haaland’s reference to expanding mental health care aligns with broader national initiatives aimed at increasing support resources such as the federally designated crisis hotline (988), which offers free and confidential assistance around the clock.
New Mexico has historically faced significant economic challenges; recent estimates indicate that hundreds of thousands of residents continue to experience financial hardship due to high living costs relative to income levels.
