Five new behavioral health clinics are now open, all operating under the agency’s new Community Behavioral Health Clinic program.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for behavioral health in New Mexico. Not only are New Mexico state lawmakers promising to seriously invest in the system, but new community clinics are now accepting patients in several cities.
It appears more is to come and that’s the goal according to officials at the Health Care Authority of New Mexico. Five new behavioral health clinics are now open, all operating under the agency’s new Community Behavioral Health Clinic program.
The idea is to bring all kinds of mental health and substance abuse treatment services under one roof, making it easier for New Mexicans to get help when they need it most.
“We can’t just criminalize behavior. There are certain times when people need that extra support, and we need to kind of provide them with those resources for treatment,” said Nick Boukas, director of behavioral health services at the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
New Mexicans in Bernalillo County can now find that extra support at a community behavioral health clinic nestled on the UNM Hospital campus. It is a 16-room facility offering a full menu of behavioral health care to anyone who needs it.
“You can walk up regardless of your ability to pay. It’s open to everyone, and they will work with you and provide you with the services you need,” Boukas said.
The UNM facility is one of five new community behavioral health clinics now open across the state. There are similar facilities in Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Farmington.
“Whether it’s for your child, whether it’s for your parents, whether it’s for yourself, and whether you need treatment for substance abuse, whether you need treatment for a behavioral health issue, or if you are a veteran you can go to this one location. , and you’ll get the resources you need by searching in one place, instead of having to go through the phone book and trying to figure out how do I get this,” Boukas said.
New Mexico is one of 10 states to receive federal funds to implement the community behavioral health clinic model.
Boukas says his department is already looking to expand this model to other New Mexico communities.
“We are seeing other providers interested in doing this because they realize that this is a program that we not only believe in, but will also benefit them and the communities they serve,” Boukas said.
Rebuilding New Mexico’s behavioral health system, one clinic at a time.
“When we talk about reconstruction, it’s a little bit of everything. We need to modernize the system. We need infrastructure support, but we also need people to make it happen,” Boukas said. “But you also have to look at the programs and figure out what needs to be updated, what needs to be added and how to do it in a way that doesn’t overload the system, but also ensures that the services they’re receiving are what people need.
Rebuilding New Mexico’s behavioral health system is a major goal for New Mexico state lawmakers this year.
Legislative leaders confirmed that significant investments were already planned in their state budget proposal.
“There is a very significant start and down payment on behavioral health, over $200 million covering everything from behavioral health professionals to housing to linkages and many other components,” the representative said of State Nathan Small.
Legislative leaders say they are preparing a package of behavioral health bills, and we hope to take a closer look at these proposals in the coming days.