Created: March 10, 2021 08:20 PM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. It’s been a tumultuous year for so many New Mexicans. The COVID-19 crisis has impacted everyone in some way. For others, it has exacerbated mental health issues.
For so many New Mexicans, it’s been a lonely year filled with fear and anxiety. With nearly 4,000 New Mexicans losing their battle to COVID-19, thousands of families have felt immense loss, suffering and pain.
“It s certainly has been a lonely year,” said Dr. Mauricio Tohen, UNM Hospital Psychiatry Chair. “And isolation can lead to extremes. I can tell you that there is clear evidence that the increase of suicidal thoughts has happened. Furthermore, self-destructive behaviors have increased, not only the use of drugs or alcohol, but also even self-cutting. There s been an increase in suicide attempts and actually on death by suicide.”