The House of Representatives continued its hearing on improving funds for behavioral health departments. On Jan. 29, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee resumed its discussion for multiple proposed bills to the House on behavioral health programs. One of which is House Bill 58. If approved, this would increase funding to implement mental health programs in schools.
In 2023, the Public Education Department (PED) reported that New Mexico was nationally ranked 34th in terms of access to mental health services, particularly for children. In the same year, 14 wellness centers for youths were opened around the state and observed as a study on the benefits of mental health focused programs for students. With results showing to be positive, the bill would allow for more schools to enact programs and train more staff to offer mental health services.
Since the start of the legislative session this year, healthcare has been a hot-button issue, with a large focus surrounding mental health. The analysis from the Legislative Education Study Committee shows the fiscal impact that would occur. $2.05 million from the general fund would be appropriated to the PED, with $1.75 million allocated to support the 14 mental health and wellness rooms currently operating.
Although the hearing did not explicitly mention HB 58 in the conversation as it had just been added to the Finance Committee, public comments did bring awareness to it.
“I don’t think that we’ve seen yet, but we know that based on evidence-based care and trauma-informed care, that providing those services will have a lifetime of benefits,” said Tenika Sosa-Gonzalez.
As a youth specialist with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Sosa-Gonzalez says that connection to social groups is what makes these programs so important.
In a recent quarterly report from the New Mexico Department of Health, it was found that between July-September 2024, there were 1,467 mental health related visits from youths to ERs. 119 visits were related to a suicide attempt.
“We know that social emotional learning in schools improves grades, attendance, and I think just in general, we know that so many of the problems that we’re seeing right now are from disconnection and trauma,” Sosa-Gonzalez said. The mental health centers are designed for students to take breaks in order to manage their emotions and gain support for their well-being.
“I think there will be positive results. I mean, it’s hard to say what you prevented. I mean, you know, you can’t say,” says Elizabeth Thomson.
Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson is the chair for the House Health and Human Services Committee. She explains that HB 58 will relate to HB 2, the General Appropriation Act of 2025, which decides how federal funds will be spent.
“-I will tell you one thing about these legislatures, we can only look at what it costs. We can’t really look forward into what it’ll save in terms of hospitalizations or suicide or, you know, days off from school, or any of those kind of things. So we have to do our programs and then collect data, and try and, you know, make sure that they’re doing and make tweaks and, and it’s never a one size fits all.” Thomson said.
The committee session is set to continue on Monday, February 3.
Liz Pritchard is a student at the University of New Mexico. Follow her journalism at lightfromalamp.com.
