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National 988 crisis support line launch

Date: 07/14/22

ANNOUNCEMENT

July 14, 2022

The New Mexico Human Services Department’s (HSD) Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) has worked to ensure New Mexicans across the state are aware that the three-digit 988 crisis support line will be available to them beginning Saturday July 16, 2022.

The 988 crisis support line is a new, free and easy to remember helpline for emotional, mental or substance use crises. The crisis support line is for people in distress to have someone to call, someone to come and somewhere to go. New Mexico residents will be able to call, text or chat 988, the 24/7 crisis support line to connect with a compassionate behavioral health professional for help.

We developed the attached toolkit (PDF) with several resources to assist you,  partners, health providers, coalitions, educators, and non-profits throughout New Mexico, spread the word about 988 across their own platforms.

HSD encourages all employees to help spread the word about this new resource for New Mexico’s diverse communities. You can access all downloadable resources at 988NM.org, or in the attached PDF. Thank you in advance for sharing these valuable materials and helping transform New Mexicans’ lives.

People who call 988 are given three options:

Choose Option 1) to connect with the veterans crisis line,

Choose Option 2) to connect with the Spanish subnetwork,

Choose Option 3) to remain on the line and be connected to a local crisis center.

The crisis support line will be connected to crisis centers equipped to respond to text messages for those who choose to text the word “TALK” to 988 instead of calling. Chat will also be available through the Lifeline’s website: http://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat

Please call, text or chat 988 if you are:

  1. Feeling sad, confused or angry
  2. Worried about your safety or someone you know
  3. Worried about alcohol or drug misuse
  4. Need information or referrals for local community services
  5. Just need someone to talk to

If the caller speaks a language other than Spanish or English then the call centers use a language line to support the caller with an interpreter.

For more information visit 988nm.org.