ALAMOGORDO, NM – Community leaders and mental health professionals recently convened at Otero Arts for a comprehensive forum focused on mental health awareness and actionable counseling solutions.
The event, hosted by Chris Edwards of 2nd Life Media, AlamogordoTownNews.org, and KALHRadio.org featured a panel of experts including Lynn Kimball, Kimmie Jordan, and Otero County Commissioner Amy Barela.
A major focus of the evening was the collaborative effort between Commissioner Barela and District Judge Angie Schneider to secure $2 million in “Early Access” state funding to overhaul local behavioral health infrastructure in collaboration with local experts in the field such as Kimmie Jordan and Lynn Kimball..
“Community solutions start with these conversations,” noted the organizers, thanking the participants for their vulnerability in dialogue and participation.
The forum underscored the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues, suicide awareness and ensuring that counseling services remain accessible to all residents.
Watch the Forum
You can view the full discussion and community forum here (Core discussion begins at 06:00):
Community Forum: Mental Health Awareness & Solutions
Major Discussion Points & Legislative Priorities
The forum transitions into its core discussion at the six-minute mark, focusing on the infrastructure of mental health and community support. The following were the primary pillars of the dialogue:
1. The $2 Million SB3 “Early Access” Funding
The most significant development is the push by Commissioner Barela and Judge Schneider to leverage $2 million in state funding from Senate Bill 3 (SB3), also known as the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA). This law requires each region to identify specific gaps in care to receive funding.
The state has earmarked this “Early Access” money to address four critical access shortages that the Otero County team is currently prioritizing:
• Residential Treatment: Creating local beds so residents don’t have to leave the county for long-term care.
• Crisis Services: Developing immediate stabilization resources to prevent ER visits or jail time.
• Justice-Involved MAT: Implementing Medication-Assisted Treatment for individuals in the Otero County Detention Center to reduce recidivism.
• Maternal/Perinatal Care: Strengthening substance use treatment for new and expecting mothers.
2. Identifying Service Gaps (E-SIM Mapping)
Panelists discussed the results of Enhanced Sequential Intercept Mapping (E-SIM), a process used to identify exactly where people “fall through the cracks” in the system—whether at the point of 911 dispatch, during an arrest, or upon reentry into the community.
• The Goal: Establishing “Early Access” programs that provide treatment before a mental health crisis results in legal consequences.
3. The March 12 County Commission Meeting
The specifics of how this $2 million will be allocated will be the centerpiece of the Otero County Commission meeting on March 12, 2026.
• Action Item: The commission will review the “Regional Behavioral Health Plan” required by the state to unlock the full $2 million.
• Accountable Entities: The meeting will discuss which local organizations (Accountable Entities) will be responsible for executing these grants.
4. Modernizing Standards of Care
Beyond the money, SB3 introduces a “modernized” standard for intervention. The forum highlighted how the law allows families, courts, and doctors to petition for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) earlier, focusing on “recent conduct” rather than waiting for a life-threatening crisis to occur.
A Tale of Two Approaches: Kimball & Jordan
A highlight of the forum was the shared history and mutual respect between Lynn Kimball and Kimmie Jordan. Both women began their careers in direct counseling nearly 12 years ago and have grown into pillars of the Alamogordo mental health landscape.
While they serve different “niches,” their collaboration is a model for how diverse approaches can coexist to provide a complete circle of care:
Lynn Kimball (Blue Sky Counseling): Known for her faith-based approach, Lynn incorporates Christian principles and “Christ-centered” counseling for those seeking a spiritual foundation for their healing. Her work often utilizes traditional modalities like CBT and EMDR, but through a lens of grace and spiritual resilience.
Kimmie Jordan (Integrative Therapy Services): Kimmie provides a less traditional, integrative approach that often includes energy work, spiritual healing, and psychiatric rehabilitation. Her focus is on empowering the individual through holistic practices, serving those who may not find a fit in traditional clinical or strictly religious settings.
Despite their different methods, the two shared a powerful commitment of unity, expressing deep respect for one another’s work. They emphasized that a “political solution”—like the current funding push—is only successful if it supports a wide variety of “boots-on-the-ground” providers who can reach every segment of the population.
Modernizing Standards of Care
The forum highlighted how SB3 allows families, courts, and doctors to petition for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) earlier, focusing on “recent conduct” rather than waiting for a life-threatening crisis to occur. Additional discussions circled around a potential facility that could house up to 50 beds, an MOU between Otero County, Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache tribe.
The event was inspirational, informative and showed significant passion and respect for needed mental health care among students, the general population, at risk communities, veterans and those reentering from rehabilitation programs and jails. The public is encouraged to join the Otero County Commission meeting on March 12th to learn even more.
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