FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERegional Behavioral Health Community Listening SessionsRegion 8 Listening Session Flyer Contact: Valeria Alarcón, Executive Director New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils Email: [email protected] | Phone: 505-226-2133Your Voice Matters: Join Region 8’s Behavioral Health Community Listening SessionsTaos, NM — January 13th, 2026 — Community members are invited to participate in upcoming Regional Behavioral Health Community Listening Sessions, designed to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of New Mexicans shape the future of behavioral and mental health care across the state.These virtual sessions are part of a statewide initiative under Senate Bill 3 (SB3) – The Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, which calls for a more integrated, community-driven behavioral health system. Each region will identify its top priorities and develop a four-year plan to strengthen behavioral health services in partnership with local organizations, healthcare agencies, and all three branches of government.The sessions will explore the intersection of behavioral health with housing, justice, education, and social wellbeing, creating a space for dialogue that drives actionable and systemic improvements to New Mexico’s behavioral health system.“Every community voice adds power to the state’s vision for an equitable, accessible and effective behavioral health care system,” said Valeria Alarcón, Executive Director of the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils. “This is your opportunity to shape meaningful, community-informed, and long-lasting change.”Upcoming Virtual Listening Sessions Information:Behavioral Health Region 8:  Counties of Taos, Union and Colfax Pueblos of Taos and Picuris Accountable Lead: Sylvia Barela, National Managing Partner to Chief Executive Officer of Via Positiva,  [email protected] From the following dates: In-Person Listening Sessions: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 : 5:00pm - 6:30pm Union County: Union County Administration Office 200 Court St. Clayton NM 88415 Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 : 11:30am - 1:00pm Colfax County: Colfax County Commission Chambers 230 N 3rd Street, Raton, NM 87747 Virtual Listening Session: Wednesday, February 25th, 12:00pm - 1:30pm Registration Link: bit.ly/R8-Feb25ListeningSession Colfax County Health Council Contact: Candida Griego | [email protected] Picuris Pueblo Health Council Contact: Tony Lucero l [email protected] Taos County Health Council Contact: Zachariah Cordova l [email protected] | 575-737-6435 Taos Pueblo Contact: Shawn Duran l [email protected] Union Health Council Contact: Rusty Kohler l [email protected] How to Participate: Join in person or from the comfort of your home or office, phone or computer. Sessions are open to all community members — including individuals with lived experience, family members, service providers, educators, advocates, medical providers, school-district, local leaders, and youth.Your perspective will inform and identify priorities and strengthen behavioral health care for all New Mexicans.Hosted in partnership by: The New Mexico Alliance of Health CouncilsAccess Behavioral Health Regional Community Calendar: https://www.nmhealthcouncils.org/publichealtheventsAccess SB3 Behavioral Health Reform & Investment Act: https://nmcourts.gov/the-behavioral-health-reform-and-investment-act-sb3/