Wellness CNM Expands Counseling, Health Insurance, and Basic Needs Services for Students

Students now have more resources than ever, with additional resources on the way
July 09, 2024

Wellness CNM currently provides students with mental health, wellness, and community resources. Now, with the help of funding from the New Mexico Higher Education Department, they’re expanding their services. 

“Over the last two years we’ve been focused on learning and understanding the factors outside of an educational setting that affect student success,” says Mia Mendoza, Director of Wellness CNM. “Going forward, we’re focused on addressing those factors by expanding our current wellness initiatives, like the food pantries, and launching new programs.” 

Here’s is a list of all the services that Wellness CNM now offers: 

  • Better Mynd online counseling portal, which provides students with free mental health services, will be available later this month. Students will be able to choose their councilor and can meet during non-traditional hours, including weekends. Additionally, students will have access to live webinars that cover relevant wellness issues, and Better Mynd offers translation services for most languages.  
  • Wellness CNM and BeWell NM, New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace, have expanded their partnership and BeWell NM is now hosting campus hours every Tuesday on Main Campus in the Student Services Center, Room 112B.  During the office hours BeWell NM is helping students enroll in low or no-cost health insurance plans.  
  • Hope Forward Therapy, a local behavioral health agency, has partnered with Wellness CNM to connect students with comprehensive community support, in-person therapy, parenting support classes, and more.  
  • Distribution Days happen on Main Campus in the Student Services Center, Room 111 on Monday’s from 12:30-3:30 p.m. and Wednesday’s from 9:30 a.m.-12: 30 p.m. and students can pick up diapers, food, clothes, toiletries, and specialty items like crockpots and hot plates, when available.  
  • The Distribution Days are being held in addition to the regular CNM Food Pantry hours on Main, Westside, and South Valley campuses. 
  • Outside of Distribution Days and Food Pantry hours, students have access to more robust case management services through Wellness CNM case managers and social work interns. Students are encouraged to drop by the Wellness CNM office located on Main Campus in Student Services Center, Room 111 at any time to discuss their individual needs.  
  • The final piece of new services is a pilot transitional housing program. Three apartment units are available where currently enrolled CNM students who meet the application criteria can stay for up to two terms while looking for more stable housing.  

Looking forward, Mia and her team are excited to expand the services and want students to know the doors are always open.  

“All of these services are here for our students to use, and if there is something we don’t offer, we will help connect you with the right resources,” Mia says. “Our goal is to meet students where they are, and we know that this will not only lead to them achieving their goals but will also make our community happier and healthier along the way.”