New Mexico gets mental health money while virus cases rise

Mental health and substance abuse programs in New Mexico will be getting an infusion of funding as part of U.S. government’s relief efforts related to ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Members of state’s congressional delegation say a $2 million grant has been awarded to state Human Services Department to fund behavioral health services during pandemic.

state ncy served more than 149,000 residents in 2018 with federal funds. Officials expect demand for such services to increase because of public health toll of outbreak.

“We can’t allow this pandemic to create any lapses in behavior health care for New Mexicans who need it,” Sen. Martin Heinrich said in a statement. “Our state has long faced challenges providing equate behavioral health resources. That has only been exacerbated during this crisis by unprecedented ecomic upheaval, social isolation and proximity to potential abusers.”

To boost access to behavioral health resources and support services, state has launched NMConnect , a new app that provides free 24-hour crisis and n-crisis support. app links users to New Mexico Crisis Access Line, which provides safety net services statewide.

Public health orders that limit garings to less than five people and place limits on number of people who can enter businesses such as grocery stores remain in effect until end of month. Many or businesses deemed as nessential have been forced to close.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to provide an update Wednesday afteron.

state has nearly 2,100 cases , and several dozen people have died from virus. cases have been centered in Bernalillo, McKinley, Sandoval and San Juan counties.