New Mexicans able to engage with new digital tools for emotional, mental, and behavioral support 

SANTA FE —The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) announced today that the NMConnect app has released an upgraded version that engages New Mexicans in a full suite of free digital self-help wellness tools. These tools offer support for one’s emotional, mental, behavioral, and substance use concerns. 

As of January 2023, 8,840 New Mexicans have downloaded the NMConnect app to access a counselor or peer support, self-help digital wellness tools, and community resources. The mobile app has new updates to help community members work on getting better, strengthen their recovery, and maintain mental wellness. 

“This app was developed to increase access for all New Mexicans — whether they are in crisis, need resources in their community, or just want to talk to someone."

"This new functionality has something for everyone,” said Bryce Pittenger, CEO of the Behavioral Health Collaborative.  

When people download the app for themselves or to help someone they know, they can receive mental health support through:   

1.       Wellness assessments: Support a person in understanding and tracking levels of stress, anxiety, and depression over time. Every two weeks the assessment provides a check-in on progress and a guide to the right support to maintain mental wellness. 

2.      Mood tracker: Encourages an individual to self-report on your mood and understand how the things you do throughout the day affect the way a person feels.  

3.      Self-help courses: Based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the new features support a person with addressing the most common mental health concerns like anxiety and depression. Courses are delivered in short informational bites, designed with an emphasis on actionable steps and creating healthy habits.  

4.      Wellness tools: The interactive  tools help people connect and integrate the material in their daily practices.  Individuals can listen to meditations, practice mindfulness in the Zen Room, use the activity scheduler, use the fun and achievement tracker and calendar, take the thought distortions quiz, and journal in the thought diary. 

Individuals can download the NMConnect app for free and begin an integrated self-guided digital wellness plan today via Apple iOS or Google Play Store.