PRICES COULD CONTINUE CLIMBING FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS. VALENTINE’S DAY IS TOMORROW, AND WHILE IT’S A TIME TO CELEBRATE LOVE, IT CAN ALSO MAKE SOME PEOPLE FEEL ALONE. THE STATE’S HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY SAYS THEY OFTEN SEE AN UPTICK IN MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES. AND EVEN IF YOU’RE FEELING OKAY, YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT NOT BE WITH YOU. YOU MAY NOTICE THEY SEEM MORE ANXIOUS, MORE WITHDRAWN, OR MAYBE JUST NOT TALKING AS MUCH AS THEY USUALLY DO. SUPPORT CAN START WITH SMALL STEPS LIKE GETTING EXERCISE OR TREATING YOURSELF TO SOMETHING DELICIOUS OR SOMETHING FUN. YOU’RE. IF YOU’RE FEELING ISOLATED OR THE SADNESS FEELS OVERWHELMING, CONSIDER A COUNSELOR OR THE 988 CRISIS AND ACCESS LINE. I THINK THE BIG THING THAT WE SEE IS THAT IT’S TRENDING UPWARD, AND IN NEW MEXICO, OVER 24% OF THE CONTACTS WITH NINE, EIGHT, EIGHT ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 24. HE SAYS.
Feeling alone this Valentine’s Day? You’re not the only one
State behavioral health leaders say holidays can intensify loneliness and anxiety.
Updated: 8:35 AM MST Feb 13, 2026
Valentine’s Day, while a time to celebrate love, can also make some feel alone. The Health Care Authority said this often happens around holidays. Even if you are feeling OK, someone you know might not be. You may notice they seem more anxious, more withdrawn, or maybe they are just not talking as much as they usually do. Support can start with small steps, like getting exercise or treating yourself to something, such as trying a new restaurant or getting a new outfit. If you are feeling isolated or the sadness feels overwhelming, consider meeting with a counselor or calling the 988 crisis and access line.Nick Boukas, director of behavioral health services for the Health Care Authority, said, “I think the big thing that we see is that it’s trending upward. In New Mexico, over 24% of the contacts with 988 are people that are between the ages of 13 and 24.”If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.
Valentine’s Day, while a time to celebrate love, can also make some feel alone. The Health Care Authority said this often happens around holidays.
Even if you are feeling OK, someone you know might not be. You may notice they seem more anxious, more withdrawn, or maybe they are just not talking as much as they usually do. Support can start with small steps, like getting exercise or treating yourself to something, such as trying a new restaurant or getting a new outfit. If you are feeling isolated or the sadness feels overwhelming, consider meeting with a counselor or calling the 988 crisis and access line.
Nick Boukas, director of behavioral health services for the Health Care Authority, said, “I think the big thing that we see is that it’s trending upward. In New Mexico, over 24% of the contacts with 988 are people that are between the ages of 13 and 24.”
If you or someone you know needs help, you can talk with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or sending a text message to 988, or you can chat online here.