Providing Advocacy and Support to families for 25 Years statewide.

     The National Institute of Health estimates that 1 in 5 children and adolescents are affected by mental health disorders that can be identified and require treatment.  The US Census Bureau estimates the number of persons under 18 in New Mexico for 2009 to be 508,446 (based on 2008 percentages).  If 1 in 5 children are affected by mental health issues, if follows that an estimated 101,689 children in the state of New Mexico have mental health disorders.  Some examples of mental health and behavorial health challenges that are listed by the National Institute of Health would be Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit or Attention Hyperactive Disorder, Bi-polar Disorders, Schizophrenia, Eating disorders, Conduct disorders, or Learning disorders.  Children who struggle with these types of issues can receive services and support in the public schools through the considerable joint efforts of parents, teachers, administrators and therapists.  Behavioral and mental health services may also be available for those on Medicaid or with health insurance.  When adequate help is not available in childhood, these young people can also be impacted by the juvenile justice system.  Many families came to our organization seeking additional advocacy assistance in demanding adequate services and support beyond what other advocacy organizations in New Mexico provide. 
     Parents and other key family members are the most important advocates in a neurologically challenged child's life.  There must be an adult or adults who are consistently representing the child's best interest, day after day, year after year in school and in the healthcare system.  The early years are especially important as the young nervous system is so malleable and great strides can be made early on in addressing behavioral challenges and productivity for the rest of the child's life.  These family members, on whom so much responsibility lie, frequently feel isolated and misunderstood, especially in rural areas of New Mexico.  New Mexico Family Network seeks a holistic approach, to support and provide education to these key adults in a child's life, pulling together school, healthcare and home life.

     We strive to provide these services through direct intervention advocates, support and caregiver training.  Our additional goal is to identify and develop leadership potential in caregivers statewide in order to address the stigma and quality of life for children and youth with mental and behavioral health challenges.

• Basic needs, safety, supports and services
  
• Sanctuary  
• Supportive and positive connections
• Validation and valuing
• Justice
• Contribution and participation
• Self-wisdom and self acceptance
• Expectations and accomodations   
  
• Competencies (skills, abilities, talents)
  
• Courage and confidence
• Hope, optimism, sense of meaning and joy