New Mexico counties collaborate on regional behavioral health plan

Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna counties work to identify priorities for a four-year behavioral health strategy funded by the state's $1 billion trust fund.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 1:00am

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Representatives from three counties in southwestern New Mexico - Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna - are gathering to create a regional approach to behavioral health care. The effort is led by Luna County Manager Chris Brice and Behavioral Health Coordinator Heather Edwards. Next week, the region will hold a workshop in Deming to map out community-based services and identify five key priorities for a four-year behavioral health plan. Funding will come from the state's $1 billion behavioral health trust fund established in 2025 along with the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act.

Why it matters

This regional collaboration aims to improve access to mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention services across a tri-county area that has historically faced challenges in providing adequate behavioral health resources, especially in rural communities. The plan will address issues like workforce development, crisis care, housing, transportation, and school support that impact behavioral health outcomes.

The details

The upcoming workshop in Deming will involve three days of work. On Tuesday, the focus will be on youth services and gaps. Wednesday will address adult services, and Thursday will bring it all together to prioritize the top five areas for the regional plan. After that, a stakeholder group will draft a proposal to fund the priorities over the next four years. The final proposal is due by June 30. Similar regional plans across New Mexico have identified priorities like access to care, workforce development, crisis care, housing, community-based programs, transportation, and school support.

  • The listening session in Silver City on Thursday, March 21 was the final gathering before the regional workshop.
  • The regional workshop will take place from March 24-26 in Deming.
  • The final four-year behavioral health plan proposal is due by June 30.

The players

Chris Brice

Luna County Manager, leading the regional behavioral health effort.

Heather Edwards

Behavioral Health Coordinator for the tri-county region.

Joseph Hill

Public health and health council specialist with the nonprofit New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils, who led the Silver City listening session.

Charlene Webb

Grant County Manager.

Dan Otero

CEO of Hidalgo Medical Services.

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What they’re saying

“There needs to be much more emphasis around health care clinician well-being, resources and support in our region. No matter which organization they work for, they have a very hard job dealing with all this, and I think there needs to be a whole workforce component.”

— Dan Otero, CEO, Hidalgo Medical Services

“There's a lot more behavioral resources in our community than what many people realize. And we're seeing a lot of independent practitioners coming in, which is enhancing access.”

— Dan Otero, CEO, Hidalgo Medical Services

“They can't do this for free, and they have to be able to be paid for their services.”

— Charlene Webb, Grant County Manager

What’s next

The regional workshop in Deming on March 24-26 will finalize the priorities for the four-year behavioral health plan, which is due to be completed by June 30.

The takeaway

This collaborative regional approach across three counties aims to leverage new state funding to improve access to mental health and substance abuse services, address workforce challenges, and develop a comprehensive plan tailored to the unique needs of rural communities in southwestern New Mexico.