Luján Marks Mental Health Awareness Month, Announces Mental Health Consortium

Washington, D.C. – In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced that his office will convene a Mental Health Consortium to connect individuals from across New Mexico who work, advocate, and care about behavioral health. The consortium will meet quarterly to network with local behavioral health officials and advocates to discuss federal policy that impacts mental health and to find solutions to address the needs of all New Mexicans.

Since 1949, May has been observed as National Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when advocates and activists across the country draw attention to the mental health issues that affect as many as one in four Americans. Today, more people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and we lose 17 veterans to suicide daily. Last year, Senator Luján passed a resolution recognizing May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month to highlight the importance of mental health and plans to reintroduce this resolution this month.

“As New Mexicans and Americans alike are dealing with a sharp rise in mental health challenges, it’s critical to bring together the best and brightest minds to find solutions, and help those who are struggling,” said Senator Luján. “Today, I’m proud to launch a Mental Health Consortium, and I encourage folks engaged in this vital field in New Mexico to join this consortium and help improve lives. Addressing mental health crises that our country has never experienced before requires an all hands on deck approach, and that’s why this partnership will strengthen and develop connections between those with the knowledge and expertise to support our communities’ mental health needs.”

New Mexicans who are interested in joining Senator Luján’s Mental Health Consortium are encouraged to contact Ane Romero, State Director and Constance Williams, Field Representative at lujanmhc@lujan.senate.gov with their contact information and the area of New Mexico that they reside in/represent by Friday, June 10, 2022. Additional information will be provided to interested behavioral health leaders.

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