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SANTA FE, N.M., Sept. 17, 2026—At the Sept. 8 regular Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner, District 3, Camilla Bustamante introduced a proclamation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and encouraging community participation in the free ABC Suicide Intervention Training, available in person, online, or on demand, through Santa Fe Community College.

“Suicide is preventable and Santa Fe County is proud to work with Santa Fe Community College to offer the ABC training,” said Commissioner Bustamante.

Suicide prevention requires the strength and compassion of an entire community. The ABC Suicide Intervention Training is a state-funded initiative to help people recognize the signs, ask direct and compassionate questions, and be present with empathy and without judgement when someone is at risk. Practicing these skills can help build safer communities.

"ABC is a community education program where everyday people learn specific skills to intervene when someone has a broken heart. It is a public-facing model teaching skills that are easy to remember, straightforward to implement, and connects people to immediate help," said Kris Swedin, Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development at SFCC. "Our partnership with Santa Fe County allows us to reach people throughout the region."

Whether you’re a concerned friend, teacher, neighbor, healthcare worker, or community leader, ABC training provides tools to respond when someone is in crisis. Informed actions from a caring person can make a difference.

The training explores the ABCs of suicide intervention:

• Ask. Recognize when someone may be at risk and learn how to ask directly about suicide with care.
• Be present. Listen with compassion and without judgement, offering steady presence in moments that feel overwhelming.
• Connect. Support someone toward appropriate and trusted resources when they need help most.

Individuals can take the self-guided one-hour class online or in-person, and there is an option for graduates of the course to become certified to teach within the community as a program volunteer. The self-guided course is available on demand. Sign up for the in-person option or to become an instructor through the ABC Suicide Prevention webpage.

Free, confidential, and immediate crisis support is available.

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988 to connect with trained counselors available 24/7 for confidential support. Call or text if you’re facing emotional distress, mental health struggles, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to. The Crisis Text Line is a nonjudgmental organization that champions mental well-being and aims to support people of every race, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, socioeconomic status, and other backgrounds.
• English and Spanish Crisis Text Line: If you need to vent, the Crisis Text Line will connect you with a live volunteer crisis counselor. Text HOME or HOLA to 741-741 to connect in English or Spanish.
• New Mexico Crisis and Access Line: Call 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) for 24/7 access to professional mental health counselors. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, struggling with stress, or just need someone to talk to, trained professionals are ready to listen anytime of day or night. Created by New Mexicans for New Mexicans.
• New Mexico Crisis and Access Line offers a Peer-to-Peer Warmline: To talk to someone who has lived experience for non-crisis support, call 1-855-466-7100. The Peer-to-Peer Warmline is a free, confidential service where you can talk with a New Mexico Certified Peer Support Worker—someone who has faced their own challenges and is trained to help others. Whether you’re dealing with mental health struggles, substance use recovery, or just feeling overwhelmed, they are here to listen, relate, and support you. You are not alone. Phone support is available daily from 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Text support is available daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838-255 to connect with trained responders who support veterans. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or healthcare to call.
• The Trevor Project: For LGBTQ+ youth, call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678 for specialized support. Reach out to the Trevor Project if you’re struggling, need answers and information, or tools to help someone else. Connect 24/7, 365 days a year from anywhere in the U.S. by text, chat, or phone.
• If you are having a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

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