Rural New Mexico county receives high honors for its innovative mental health program

FARMINGTON, N.M. — San Juan County was acknowledged by the Nationwide Affiliation of Counties for an progressive psychological well being program that addresses consumer’s wants by connecting them with native assets.

Liza Gomez, the Group Well being and Social Companies director at San Juan County’s Psychological Wellness Useful resource Middle, mentioned counties sometimes don’t get entangled in psychological well being work, however they noticed a niche that couldn’t be ignored. 

“There was a acknowledged want for expanded conduct well being providers, psychological well being providers for the neighborhood. So, in 2018 the fee on the time authorised some funds to fee a gaps evaluation,” Gomez mentioned.

Which recognized a necessity for a useful resource heart.

“The thought was we’d be a spot the place folks might come for assets in the neighborhood beginning with psychological well being providers, behavioral well being providers, resembling substance abuse remedies,” Gomez added.

“The vast majority of the work we do helps folks get housing… we did see an increase in people say ‘I simply acquired evicted, I don’t have anywhere to stay, I actually need some assist,’” Gomez mentioned.

Cassandra Saiz helps purchasers make these connections, she mentioned though it could solely be one individual at a time, the distinction they’re making in folks’s lives is large.

“I did have a consumer who was stranded right here at one time, his automobile broke down and he was actually scuffling with discovering a spot to stay. We have been in a position to undergo the housing program, he efficiently acquired into the housing help and was capable of finding a spot to stay. And now he’s additionally working in the neighborhood,” Saiz mentioned.

From November 2020 to October 2021, they’ve helped join 614 purchasers to assets in the neighborhood.