New Mexico sees lower youth suicide rate, looks to new 988 crisis hotline

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As September marks Suicide Prevention Month, New Mexico is seeing some enhancements as a brand new disaster hotline continues to achieve traction.

The 988 Suicide & Disaster Hotline was rolled out in July. The hotline was shortened from ten digits to simply 988, with the hope that extra individuals would keep in mind the quantity and name when wanted.

“All people experiences psychological well being considerations of their life. That doesn’t imply that you’ve a psychological well being analysis but it surely’s alright to ask for assist and in the event you don’t ask for assist you may put your self and others in danger,” mentioned Wendy Linebrink-Allison, the New Mexico Disaster and Entry Line’s program supervisor. “Permitting a three-digit telephone quantity the place individuals can attain out, particularly for psychological well being considerations, permits for individuals to attach with the appropriate individuals on the proper time.”

The state noticed a 16% drop in suicide amongst New Mexicans ages 5 to 18 – a constructive mark on the state after it had one of many highest suicide charges within the U.S. in 2020.

State leaders attribute the 16% drop to prevention and the hotline’s efforts. This yr, the amount of calls has elevated and the speed of response in our state has additionally elevated by over 90%.

Whereas most 988 calls are suicide-related, individuals also can name the quantity for assist with any psychological well being disaster.

“Sadly, we additionally lead the nation in alcohol-related deaths and we’re among the many leaders in overdose deaths,” mentioned Dr. Neal Bowen, the director of New Mexico Human Companies Division’s Behavioral Well being Companies division. “That’s one of many causes we expanded it from simply suicide to all types of a behavioral well being disaster – that method individuals have a pathway a three-digit pathway to get assist.”

Because the quantity continues to achieve traction for behavioral well being crises, together with suicidal ideas, there’s nonetheless work to do. The New Mexico Division of Well being discovered a slight improve in suicide amongst adults, however is within the course of of accelerating entry to psychological well being companies.