Mexican government urged to ‘rebuild the mental health system’

Aug 09, 2024

By John Lavenburg
Echoing recent calls to action from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, the Catholic Bishops of New Mexico have spoken out on the need for the government, non-profits, and citizens, to all come together to address public safety challenges in the state.

In a joint statement issued on July 29, the bishops specifically highlighted the need to tackle mental health issues and alcohol and drug addictions, which they identify as the primary root causes of public safety concerns in New Mexico. They proposed that a starting point should be the creation of a public-private campaign.

“We believe that state leaders, anchor organisations, and advocates can collaborate to secure funding for the treatment of mental health, alcohol, and drug addictions,” the bishops stated. “This approach would prioritise necessary resources before discussing mandatory court-ordered treatments.”

The bishops emphasised that addressing behavioural health issues is crucial before considering court-mandated treatment. “If we can’t provide services for voluntary treatment, how can we ever implement a system for mandatory treatment?” they questioned. “This responsibility lies with the government, non-profits, and every citizen of the state, as the crisis includes individuals with mental health issues who often turn to drugs for self-medication.”

Governor Grisham has proposed multiple initiatives related to mandatory courtordered treatment, including expanding court-supervised outpatient treatment for individuals with mental illness and broadening eligibility for involuntary mental health treatment. The bishops argue that before these proposals are discussed by lawmakers, it is crucial to increase the availability of resources.

The bishops of New Mexico maintained a focus on the urgent need for mental health resources in the state, expressing optimism that collective efforts can lead to significant improvements. “Together, we can rebuild the state’s mental health system,” the bishops concluded. “We, the Catholic Bishops of New Mexico, remain hopeful that we can accomplish this task as successfully as the Early Childhood campaign, with the hope that these challenges will not take a decade to resolve.” --Crux