Virtual Panel: Addressing Gaps in Behavioral Health Care Capacity

Enhancing the behavioral health capacity in New Mexico is more important than ever. Recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows New Mexicans report a higher level of anxiety and/or depressive disorder than the national average.

With the known correlation between mental health and substance use disorders, some New Mexicans likely have behavioral health co-morbidities that require care and attention across the care continuum. However, there are simply not enough providers to meet the rising demand in behavioral health services.

Currently, New Mexico needs nearly 10,000 health care workers to bring the state up to national standards. This gap is especially pronounced in the Medicaid population where there are approximately 2,700 licensed behavioral health providers who serve nearly 670,000 Medicaid managed care enrollees. Unfortunately, this has resulted in roughly half of adults with mental illness in New Mexico not receiving treatment. This panel explores how policymakers, health professionals, and other stakeholders can work together to meet the behavioral health and substance abuse needs in our state.

Keynote Speaker: Acting Secretary Kari Armijo, New Mexico Health and Human Services Department

Host: Dr. Darcie Robran-Marquez, chief medical officer, Molina Healthcare of New Mexico

Moderator: Pat Davis, president of Albuquerque City Council

Panelists:

• Dr. Jennifer Schneider, assistant professor and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, UNM College of Nursing
• Paul Tucker, founding president, Turning Point Recovery Center
• Terry Randolph, chief program officer, Pyx Health