Here to Help NM

by Kristie Garcia, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

It’s the dreaded phone call no one expects. Whether an immediate family member, a friend, a coworker, an acquaintance or a distant relative, most families have experienced the unsettling reality of a loved one committing suicide.

“What could I have done? Why didn’t he reach out? Why couldn’t she just call me?”

Those are the questions that immediately cross the minds of those left behind, struggling to grasp the reality while simultaneously trying to sort through a sea of emotions.

Whether it is suicidal thoughts, trauma, stress or depression, the truth is that only half of people with mental illnesses receive treatment, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

Organizers of Here to Help New Mexico want to change that.

Here to Help New Mexico offers resources on stress prevention, wellness and mental health for New Mexico agriculture industry workers and their families. It is a collaboration among the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service and New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau.

NMDA received a $500,000 grant earlier this year for the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program to enhance a network that connects individuals who are engaged in farming, ranching and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. The United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the grant to NMDA. Here to Help New Mexico is part of this larger effort.

“Farmers and ranchers never know exactly what is going to happen from one day to the next,” said New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte. “It’s so unpredictable. And that unpredictability can cause a lot of stress. Drought, a pandemic, supply chain issues, wildfires, cost increases and flooding are just some of the factors that make working in ag stressful. We want our farmers and ranchers to know they’re not alone.”

New Mexico has recently had its fair share of major challenges. Wildfires and flash flooding can result in loss of property, crops, livestock, pasture, homes, and the very worst, loss of loved ones.

“We want our fellow New Mexicans who work in the agriculture industry to know that their community cares about them, it’s okay not to be okay and that they’re not alone,” said Marshal Wilson, assistant director of the NMDA’s Agricultural and Production Services Division.

Tom Dean, Extension’s Southwest District Director, and Wilson are co-directors of NMSU’s Southwest Border Food Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center. They applied for the grant, because they realize the importance of this issue in New Mexico.

“We recognize this is a real issue, and people need help,” said Dean. “It’s okay to need help. We also want to create awareness and help people learn what the signs and symptoms are of someone facing challenges, so they can recognize when a loved one needs support.”

The Here to Help New Mexico website https://www.nmflb.org/Get-Involved/HereTo-Help-NM offers the following information: Ї Signs and symptoms of mental health

challenges Ї Five steps to help someone in emotional pain Ї Crisis line phone numbers and websites Ї “Stress-Free You” video links

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, get connected to support by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also chat with a mental health professional on the 988 website. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. ▫

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