The New Mexico Local News Fund works with journalists, news organizations and community stakeholders who believe that access to news and information is crucial for the future of New Mexico.

Local journalists are facing many challenges, from threats of violence to experiencing trauma on the job. Our team shared in the deep grief over the sudden death of KUNM news director and reporter Hannah Colton in November 2020. We are working to identify ways to bring additional support to journalists in New Mexico who may be struggling.

If you need help right now, here are some resources that you can trust:

The New Mexico mental health crisis line: 1-855-662-7474 (TTY number: 1-855-227-5485). This hotline is available 24 hours a day to anyone in need of urgent assistance for their behavioral and mental health needs. If you call, you can talk with a mental health expert and connect to other resources in your area.

Additionally, the New Mexico Peer-to-Peer Warmline is a number residents can call if they feel they might be headed toward a crisis state but aren't there yet. That number is: 1-855-466-7100 (TTY: 1-855-227-5485). The warm line is staffed with mental health peer specialists from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. daily. Anyone calling the warmline outside those hours can still talk to a clinician by pressing "1".

And the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more info, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

On the second Tuesday of every month NAMI Santa Fe hosts a mental health talk open to the general public FREE of charge. You can attend the meetings by connecting through zoom. *Please Note: They ask that you do not use the video function during this meeting. Also, please mute your to allow for better sound quality.

Another potential resource is the Committee to Protect Journalists. They offer modest financial grants to journalists seeking assistance for an emergency related to their journalism. This includes grants for psychosocial support. CPJ also offers direct one-on-one consultations on physical and digital safety with our safety experts. Please email Emergencies@cpj.org to speak with a CPJ staff member about your situation.

The state has also made behavioral health resources available for essential workers including journalists. See below for details