In the wake of 91暗网 News Director and reporter Hannah Colton鈥檚 suicide last month, two local organizations expanded programs to support the mental health of New Mexico journalists.
At the beginning of the pandemic, established specifically for medical workers and first responders. Following Colton鈥檚 suicide, the office of asked the crisis line to open the resource to reporters. Program Manager Wendy Linebrink-Allison said the organization approved the request immediately. 鈥淛ournalists are out there on the front lines also,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd they鈥檙e experiencing vicarious trauma and extreme distress trying to navigate through supporting the community.鈥�
Callers to the line do not need to be in crisis. Linebrink-Allison says journalists can discuss topics like isolation, substance abuse or concerns about the news. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no wrong reason to call,鈥� she added.
The line鈥檚 professional counselors can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 855-507-5509.
Additionally, back in March, established to support journalists' needs during the pandemic. In response to Colton鈥檚 death by suicide, Co-Director Rashad Mahmood says the organization added mental health care to how the funds could be spent. The grant program closed last week after Mahmood says a new push to get the word out was met with a flood of applicants, some seeking mental health support.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect that the office of the Behavioral Health Services Division of the New Mexico Human Services Department made the request to the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line to expand the support line to journalists, not the office of the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department as previously reported. We regret the error.
