New Mexico families still struggle with rising food, gas and housing costs. For years, New Mexico has had one of the highest rates of food insecurity for children in the country with 28 percent of New Mexico’s children lacking enough food. Every week, nearly 70,000 New Mexicans seek food assistance—about the same size as the City of Santa Fe. 

Many programs exist to help with food insecurity and homelessness, including New Mexico’s Human Services Department, with both food and income assistance programs. Hunger can take a big toll on children’s mental health, including their ability to learn, and create risks for developmental delay, illnesses and behavioral problems.  To combat child hunger in our state, HSD, BHSD, food banks, and other non-profits across New Mexico are working closely together to ensure vulnerable people can get help accessing food. 

Homelessness can happen to anyone. People working low-wage jobs, people living with mental illness, those with substance use problems, migrant workers, runaway or trafficked teens, victims of domestic violence and veterans are all at a much higher risk of experiencing homelessness. Domestic Violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children who are forced to flee their homes or face eviction. The New Mexico Human Services Department, Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) works to connect domestic violence survivors to help, including helping to find safe housing. BHSD works with local domestic violence shelters that provide emergency housing, and crisis centers that can help survivors if they want to pursue legal action. 

Veterans are also at risk for homelessness.  More than 7.5% of all unsheltered people in New Mexico are Veterans. BHSD offers many resources and support services for Veterans and their families. Their website details how their department is responding to the needs of Veterans and includes information and resources on how to get support with accessing benefits available to Veterans.

Mental health issues, childhood trauma and substance use can also contribute to homlessness, all of which can involve stigma and lead to isolation. Ending the stigma starts with confronting our own internally held beliefs and changing our behavior to be kinder and more inclusive. 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to give back, and even the smallest act of kindness can make a significant difference. You can go through your closet to put together a bundle of clean and gently used warm clothing, blankets, or shoes to donate to a local shelter. You can give non-perishable and non-expired food items to a local food bank. Consider volunteering with local supportive agencies.  By treating unhoused people with respect and dignity, we can make a difference and work towards building a better community.