Luján Delivers More Mental And Behavioral Health Care Resources to Las Cruces

Las Cruces, N.M. – Today,U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) met with Las Cruces Fire Department officials to celebrate two Congressionally Directed Spending projects secured to improve social, mental, and behavioral health care services in the Las Cruces community. These federal investments will work in tandem with an innovative initiative in New Mexico, that will place more care-specific responders in the field to help those in need.

“First responders in our communities answer calls every day that span a whole variety of complex problems New Mexicans face,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I am proud to deliver more funding for social, mental, and behavioral health care services here in Las Cruces and around New Mexico, to make sure our families and first responders have the right resources to help.”

Totaling over $1 million, the investments that Luján secured will support the crisis response unit that responds to crisis calls received on the 911 system, including welfare checks, intoxication, overdoses, suicide attempts, and behavioral issues. This funding will better help individuals in crisis by having care-appropriate responders ready to go and ensure that proper follow-up and long-term resources are provided.

Senator Luján has been a lifelong champion of extending mental and behavioral health care services back to his home state of New Mexico and across the nation. Last December, Senator Luján delivered over $273 million in investments for 146 local projects across New Mexico through the Omnibus Spending Bill that President Biden signed into law. Additionally, Sen Luján’s bill – the Improving Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Act 2.0 – which reauthorized residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women who have a substance use disorder, passed into law in December 2022. Last year, Luján also launched a Mental Health Consortium to connect individuals with mental health knowledge and expertise to support New Mexico communities.

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