Las Cruces Suicide Prevention Task Force

11/04/2026

💜 If you have lost someone to su***de, you are welcome here.

Join the Las Cruces Su***de Prevention Task Force for International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day, a time to remember those we’ve lost and connect with others who understand.

We’ll have a variety of activities available, including therapeutic art-making, journaling, building an ofrenda to honor loved ones, tai chi, yoga, and more. You can choose what feels right for you, participate at your own pace, or simply enjoy being in community. There is no expectation to take part in every activity.

Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, we invite you to join us.

📅 Saturday, November 21 | 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
💜 No cost. Coffee and lunch provided.
RSVP: [email protected] or [email protected]

Please share this invitation with someone who may welcome the connection.
***deLoss ***deLossSupport

10/22/2026

Clinicians: Do you feel prepared to support clients experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors?

These conversations can feel challenging, even for experienced providers. Building confidence can help us listen openly, ask direct questions, and stay connected with clients through difficult moments.

Join our partners St. Joseph Institute & Summit Behavioral Health for a practical training to strengthen your skills, navigate complex decisions, and feel more comfortable supporting clients at risk for su***de. Bring your questions and leave with tools you can use in your practice.

🎓 2 CE Hours included
📲 Register at: summitbhc.com/events

***dePrevention

cc: Summit BHC, St. Joseph Institute

10/19/2026

The months leading up to our annual Recovery Celebration are always a whirlwind of planning, organizing, coordinating, and making sure all the little pieces come together. By the time the celebration is over, we're often running on empty, taking a few weeks to catch our breath, rest, and finally come up for air.

So, while this thank-you is a little later this year, please know that our gratitude has been there all along. And after a little time to breathe, we are still reflecting on just how special this year's celebration was and how many people made it possible.

This year was one of our biggest yet, with more than 400+ people coming together to celebrate recovery, share stories of healing, connect with one another, and remind each other that none of us has to walk this journey alone. We shared food, laughter, powerful stories, and moments of connection that remind us why this work matters so much.

To our sponsors, we cannot thank you enough for making this celebration possible. Your support is more than a contribution to an event. It is an investment in people, in hope, in healing, and in a community that continues to show up for one another through some of life's hardest moments. Because of you, we were able to create a space where people could feel welcomed, supported, and reminded that they matter.

To our volunteers, there truly are not enough words. So many of you showed up early, stayed late, carried tables, served food, helped wherever you were needed, and gave your time and energy so that others could simply show up and be part of something meaningful. Some of you were there before the day even began, and some stayed until the very last moments. You gave so much of yourselves, and we saw you. We appreciate you more than you know. ❤️

We know that recovery is not always easy, and neither is the work of showing up for others. So many people in our community are carrying heavy loads and heavy souls. Some are navigating recovery, some are grieving, some are struggling in silence, and some are simply trying to make it through another day. Our hope is that when people come to this celebration, they know there is a place for them here. No matter where they are on their journey, they are welcome. They belong. They matter.

Recovery is not something we do alone. It happens in the moments when we choose to stand beside one another, to offer a helping hand, to listen without judgment, and to remind someone that they are not forgotten.

Our work continues, and we are so grateful to be doing it alongside all of you. More shout outs and event pictures to come soon ❤️

09/14/2026

19%.

That number caught our attention this week.

According to provisional data from the New Mexico Department of Health, su***de deaths in New Mexico decreased 19% between 2024 and 2025. After years of New Mexico carrying one of the highest su***de rates in the country, this is a number worth pausing to acknowledge. Not because the work is over. It isn't.

But because maybe, just maybe, we are beginning to see the impact of the countless people across our state and our communities who continue to show up, speak up, reach out, and make su***de prevention a priority.

Su***de prevention doesn't always look like a big program or major policy change. Sometimes, it looks like one person. One person learning the warning signs. One person willing to ask the question.
One person who knows what to say and where to turn for help. Because sometimes, one person can be the hope someone needs when they can't find their own.

At the same time, we have to hold this news with care. Su***de was still the 9th leading cause of death among New Mexicans in 2025 and the 2nd leading cause of death among New Mexico youth ages 12–17. Most su***de deaths involved a fi***rm. The data is provisional, and we don't yet know exactly what contributed to the decrease. One year doesn't establish a trend.

One of the greatest strengths of Southern New Mexico is our community. We see people come together during difficult times. We see people sharing their experiences so someone else doesn't have to feel so alone. That is community. And that is prevention.

On September 19th, we have another opportunity to come together at the 10th Annual Recovery Community Celebration at Apodaca Park.

Come connect.
Come celebrate recovery.
All are welcome. 💚

As S.K. Harrell said: “We don't heal in isolation, but through community.”

We believe that deeply. And we are grateful to be part of a community that continues to show up for one another.

Source
https://www.nmhealth.org/news/awareness/2026/9/?view=2367

09/10/2026

Looking for a little peace? 💜

Our friends at Crossroads Acupuncture with Ryan Bemis are offering upcomingPeace Down Acudetox sessions in downtown Las Cruces.

Peace Down Acudetox is a low-cost community acupuncture offering . A space to sit, rest, and let your nervous system settle. No pressure to talk. Just come as you are.

Upcoming sessions at 1100 S. Main
Fri 9/11 at 10:30 AM
Sat 9/12 at 9:00 AM
Fri 10/9 at 10:30 AM
Sat 10/10 at 9:00 AM

Walk-ins welcome
Suggested donation: $5 or more

👉 Reserve your spot:
https://www.crossroadsacupuncture.com/solidaritycircle

We’re also excited that Crossroads will be joining us at the Recovery Celebration at Apodaca Park on September 19, where they’ll be offering Acudetox!

Everyone deserves a little peace!

09/09/2026

The Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners recognizes September as Su***de Prevention Awareness Month to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind residents that help is available.

Doña Ana County ranked third in New Mexico for su***de death counts between 2020 and 2024, highlighting the importance of continued education, prevention, and access to behavioral health resources.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or su***de crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

The Doña Ana County Crisis Triage Center (CTC) also provides short-term, 23-hour crisis services for adults experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The CTC focuses on helping stabilize individuals and connecting them with appropriate ongoing care and support.

As a community, we can help create an environment where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength. A conversation, a check-in, or simply being there can make a difference.

For more information, please visit https://www.lcsu***deprevention.com/about-us

Watch the presentation of the proclamation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wALjQkS-EJA?si=Yz7zBFLH67bDGmZv&t=2318

09/08/2026

We were thrilled and delighted to be at Doña Ana County Commission chambers this morning to accept this proclamation declaring September to be Su***de Prevention Month in Doña Ana County.

The Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners recognizes September as Su***de Prevention Awareness Month to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and remind residents that help is available.

Doña Ana County ranked third in New Mexico for su***de death counts between 2020 and 2024, highlighting the importance of continued education, prevention, and access to behavioral health resources.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health or su***de crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

The Doña Ana County Crisis Triage Center (CTC) also provides short-term, 23-hour crisis services for adults experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. The CTC focuses on helping stabilize individuals and connecting them with appropriate ongoing care and support.

As a community, we can help create an environment where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength. A conversation, a check-in, or simply being there can make a difference.

For more information, please visit https://www.lcsu***deprevention.com/about-us

Watch the presentation of the proclamation here: https://www.youtube.com/live/wALjQkS-EJA?si=Yz7zBFLH67bDGmZv&t=2318

09/02/2026

We’ve received quite a few questions about the Out of the Darkness Walk in Las Cruces this year, so we wanted to offer a little clarification.

The Out of the Darkness Walk is an American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP) event and has never been organized by the Las Cruces Su***de Prevention Task Force.

From 2018 through 2024, the Las Cruces walk was organized locally through an enormous amount of work by dedicated community volunteers in partnership with AFSP. LCSPTF was welcome and invited to participate over the years, and last year was the first year that we participated as an organization with an LCSPTF table.

We know the walk has been meaningful to many people in our community, and we completely understand why people are asking about it and are disappointed that there is not a walk this year. Because LCSPTF does not organize the Out of the Darkness Walk, the decision about whether a local walk takes place is not ours to make.

LCSPTF does have several opportunities for connection, support, remembrance, and healing coming up this fall. 💜

In September, we’ll host the Recovery Community Celebration for the 10th year.

We are also beginning another free 8-week Survivors of Su***de (SOS) support group for people who have lost someone to su***de.

And in November, we’ll host International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day for the third year.

We’ll continue sharing information about these and other opportunities to connect with one another and strengthen su***de prevention and survivor support here in Doña Ana County.

For information specifically about future Out of the Darkness Walks, AFSP would be the best source.

EDITED FOR CLARITY: Our original wording unintentionally suggested that LCSPTF had not previously been welcomed or invited to participate in the walk. That was not the case, and we appreciate the opportunity to clarify and recognize the community members who put many years of work into making the Las Cruces walk happen. 💜