LESC bill analyses are available on the New Mexico Legislature website (www.nmlegis.gov). Bill analyses are
prepared by LESC staff for standing education committees of the New Mexico Legislature. LESC does not assume
any responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.
LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE
BILL ANALYSIS
57th Legislature, 1st Session, 2025
Bill Number HB58 Sponsor Herndon
Tracking Number .229188.1 Committee Referrals HHHC/HEC
Short Title Mental Health Programs in Schools Funding
Original Date 1/24/2025
Analyst Hicks Last Updated
FOR THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
BILL SUMMARY
Synopsis of Bill
House Bill 58 (HB58) would make an appropriation to the Public Education Department (PED) to
support mental health training and wellness spaces in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12)
schools. The bill would direct PED to use $300 thousand of the allocated funding to partner with
an organization specializing in trauma-informed and culture-centered suicide prevention training
for school personnel, students, and the community. HB58 further directs PED to use the additional
$1.75 million appropriation to support the operation of 14 mental health rooms in New Mexico
schools.
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill appropriates $2.05 million from the general fund to PED for expenditure in FY26. Any
unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY26 shall revert to the general
fund.
HB58 could have fiscal implications for PED, as they would need to dedicate department resources
to support the distribution of the proposed funds.
The proposed allocation of $1.75 million to support 14 mental health rooms amounts to $125
thousand per room. The schools selected to operate these rooms could see additional fiscal impacts
not covered by this funding, depending upon the specific context of the school community.
SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES
Legislative Context. In the 2022 legislative session, the New Mexico Legislature passed House
Memorial 43 (HM43), requesting LESC and PED to organize a task force to develop a plan for
mental wellness spaces in schools. The HM43 task force studied examples of wellness rooms both
here in New Mexico (Taos, Las Cruces, Albuquerque) and in other states (Utah, Pennsylvania).
HB58 – Page 2
The task force’s final report recommended a pilot program to establish 10 wellness rooms in New
Mexico middle and high schools.
Following this task force, the Legislature provided funding to support limited implementation of
wellness rooms in K-12 schools. In FY24, the Legislature appropriated $200 thousand to fund a
PED-led pilot program for wellness rooms in public and charter schools. In FY25, the Legislature
continued to fund wellness rooms with an appropriation of $200 thousand.
Mental Health Rooms. Mental health rooms, sometimes alternatively referred to as student
wellness rooms or mental wellness rooms, are not defined in statute. In practice, wellness rooms
are designated spaces within schools for students to take brief breaks from their day to manage
their emotions and support overall well-being. Wellness rooms can be a place where students relax
for a few minutes, get a snack, and can reset themselves before returning to class. The intent of
these rooms is to help prevent escalations in behavior by allowing students the space to regulate
their emotional responses. In New Mexico, wellness rooms exist in many schools, often staffed by
an educational assistant or other school personnel who can then refer students to more intensive
interventions—such as mental or behavioral health professionals—if needed.
Youth Suicide. Data shows youth suicide and suicidal behavior is increasing in New Mexico and
across the United States. New Mexico uses the New Mexico Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey
(NM YRRS) to assess the health risk behaviors and resiliency of New Mexico secondary students
through a survey administered to a selection of schools in each school district in the fall of even
numbered years. NM YRRS is part of the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) Youth Risk and Behavior Surveillance system (U.S. YRBS), allowing for comparisons
between New Mexico and national data.
As illustrated by the graph below, youth suicide attempts in New Mexico have consistently
outpaced the nation, even before the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2019, New Mexico’s suicide attempt
rate among students in grades nine through 12 was 10.5 percent, compared to the national rate of
8.9 percent.
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH)—which administers NM YRRS—reports that in
2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for youth aged 13-17 in New Mexico. In DOH’s most
recent State of Mental Health in New Mexico 2022 report, which provides detailed information
9.7%
8.6%
9.4% 9.4%
9.9%
10.5%
6.3%
7.8% 8.0%
8.6%
7.4%
8.9%
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019
Percentage of Students Attempting Suicide
Attempted Suicide in Grades 9-12 in New Mexico and the United States,
2009-2019
New Mexico United States
Source: 2009-2019 NM-YRRS and US YRBSS
HB58 – Page 3
about the mental health of New Mexico residents, the department notes suicide attempts are
associated with depression and other mental health issues. DOH’s 2024 quarter three mental health
surveillance report recorded youth emergency department visits in the state between July 1, 2024,
and September 30, 2024. During this period, there were 1,467 mental health-related visits by youth
to emergency departments and 119 visits related to a suicide attempt.
Youth Mental Health, School Climate, and Social Emotional Learning. Wellness rooms are
one strategy employed by schools across the United States to support efforts to establish a
relationship-centered, mental health-conscious school climate. According to the CDC, children
who are mentally healthy have improved quality of life; can function well at home, in school, and
in their communities; and are better able to cope with challenges. Research suggests schools should
create positive school climates that center strong relationships and integrate social emotional
learning (SEL). The Social Emotional Learning Alliance for the United States defines SEL as the
process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes,
and skills necessary to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and
collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain a range of supportive
relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
HB58 would likely have administrative implications for both PED and local school districts. PED
would need to develop a process through which the suicide prevention partner organization and a
separate method to identify the sites of the 14 mental health rooms.
Local districts would need to incorporate the suicide prevention training provided by PED and the
partner organization into their professional development curriculum. Districts operating the 14
mental health rooms would also need to dedicate district resources to support the initiative.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Behavioral Health Staffing. The majority of the behavioral health workforce in New Mexico
schools is comprised of school counselors, followed by social workers. According to the most
recent data available from a 2020 survey of behavioral health services offered within schools, the
ratio of students to school counselors, psychologists, and social workers in New Mexico are
significantly higher than nationally recommended ratios.
LESC Interim Site Visits. During the 2024 interim, LESC staff visited Raton Schools, Silver
Consolidated Schools, Los Lunas Schools, and the School of Dreams Academy as part of a study
on school safety approaches in the state. Both Raton Schools and Silver Consolidated Schools have
implemented wellness rooms in their high schools to support broader restorative practices for
discipline, climate, and student wellbeing.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• LESC Files
• Public Schools Facilities Authority (PSFA)
• Health Care Authority (HCA)
CLH/nd/mca/jkh