At it’s annual meeting in June, New Mexico First officially welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors. The Board also bestowed the title of Emeritus Board Members on one departing Board member at the Annual Board Meeting on June 30. Departing Board member Kathy Keith was named Board Emeritus for her contributions over…
Read More‘Hurt people raising hurt people’: A mental health crisis grows in NM amid a dire lack of services
By Annabella Farmer | Searchlight N.M. Crystal G. has always known that New Mexico’s mental healthcare system is broken. Her aunt, who helped raise her, began showing schizophrenic tendencies at the age of 14. Her mother struggled with substance abuse and went into rehab when Crystal was six. The little girl was put in the…
Read MoreWhen the new suicide hotline debuts, will New Mexico drop the call?
May 4, 2022 by Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi | Searchlight N.M. Kenneth Helberg, 46, was placed in foster care for the first time at the age of 5, after he showed up to his kindergarten class in diapers, unable to tie his torn-up shoes and unbathed for weeks. He spent the next five years bouncing…
Read MoreNew Mexico First names Danielle Gonzales as new Executive Director
New Mexico First is proud to announce New Mexico-native Danielle Gonzales as our new Executive Director, effective Monday, January 3. About Danielle Born in Farmington and raised in Albuquerque, Danielle comes to New Mexico First with over 20 years of experience working on a national level in education policy and reform. Her most recent position…
Read More
Town Hall Agenda/Program
Our goal: To collaborate on the creation of agreed-upon and actionable recommendations to transform behavioral health in New Mexico. Program Background Report Agenda DAY ONE (Wednesday, June 15) 8:30 am – Check in/ Breakfast 9:00 am – Opening Welcome Message: Marcus Mims, Chair, New Mexico First Invocation: Vernon B. Abeita, Governor, Pueblo of Isleta Emcee…
Read MoreRedistricting Bill Reaches New Mexico Senate floor
Featured in KRWG Public Media By Walter Rubel | March 8, 2021 A compromise bill establishing procedures for the upcoming redistricting effort passed through the New Mexico Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously Saturday, March 6, and now moves to a vote of the full Senate. Senate Bill 15 maintains an independent commission to redraw district maps,…
Read MoreHidden in Plain Sight: Hunger on College Campuses
Featured in the Santa Fe New Mexican. By Ellen Buelow & Garry Fairbrother | March 6, 2021 The face of hunger is often hidden in our midst. Hidden in places where we least expect to find it — like on college campuses. Professor Sarita Cargas’ 2020 study of hunger at the University of New Mexico…
Read More