DEMING – A new push to strengthen behavioral health services across southwest New Mexico is bringing local leaders together as Luna County prepares to take part in a regional planning effort focused on improving care for residents who need assistance.
Luna County Manager Chris Brice recently discussed the initiative during a phone interview on the local program “Hometown Happenings with John Krehbiel,” explaining how the effort ties into a major statewide investment approved during last year’s New Mexico Legislative Session.
Brice said lawmakers set aside more than two billion dollars statewide to expand behavioral health services, with the goal of improving access to mental health care, substance use treatment programs, crisis services, and other support systems for New Mexico residents.
He noted that communities across the state are now working to determine how those resources can be used most effectively at the local level.
As part of that process, officials from Luna County will participate in an upcoming three-day regional behavioral health meeting that will include representatives from Luna, Grant, and Hidalgo counties.
The gathering is designed to bring together local governments, service providers, and regional partners to identify needs within each community and develop coordinated plans for using available funding to expand services.
Brice said collaboration between neighboring counties will be an important part of the effort, allowing leaders to share ideas, examine existing resources, and determine how best to address gaps in care across the region.
The conversation aired as part of Episode 8 of “Hometown Happenings with John Krehbiel,” a program highlighting community issues, local leaders, and initiatives impacting residents throughout southwest New Mexico.
A recording of the interview is available through Bravo Mic Communications and the Deming radio stations Mix 94.3 FM KDEM and Classic Country KOTS.