New Mexico’s young people are plagued by mental health concerns at rates higher than any other state, according to a study measuring the number of children and teens seeking services. Dr. Kristina Sowar, a psychiatrist at the University of New Mexico, says the data is unsurprising given New Mexico’s sparse population. Some remote areas lack key health care resources, and cell service may make operating call centers impossible in certain locations. A significant portion of these issues can be linked to poverty, which impacts access to basic needs including food and education.
Family and Community Factors
Parental stress significantly affects children’s mental health. According to Sowar, “There’s a lot to be said as parents in terms of how we model for our kids, kind of how we want them to take care of themselves. That might be like talking about getting our own support, sometimes talking about how we’ve navigated struggles that we’re in and ways that we’re trying to get support in terms of opening those conversations.” She emphasizes the importance of parents modeling healthy coping mechanisms and support-seeking behavior to help prevent issues like anxiety and depression in their children.
Available Solutions
Sowar identifies several approaches to address the crisis. Telehealth has seen significant growth, offering health care to people living in rural areas, including New Mexico’s Pueblos. Available services can be browsed through insurance providers, and programs at children’s schools provide additional support. The New Mexico crisis hotline offers free support by calling 988.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-mental-health-brain-behavior-behavioral-youth-young/64404024