FYI+: Champions of Mental Health Empowerment
Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a powerful annual reminder of Families & Youth Innovations Plus’s (FYI+’s) steadfast commitment to fostering understanding and support for mental well-being across our community. For over 45 years since our founding in 1977, we’ve been dedicated to uplifting the lives of all individuals we serve across all domains of well-being. This month, our focus shines on the critical role of education and empathy in tackling the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
At the core of our approach is providing person-centered care that is fundamentally supportive and affirming to each individual’s unique experience and identity. We firmly believe that breaking the stigma surrounding mental health requires creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and celebrated for who they truly are.

The Devastating Impact of Mental Health Stigma
The numbers don’t lie – mental health issues are extremely common, especially among certain groups. A startling 25% of adults with disabilities are impacted, and for Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American individuals with disabilities, the rates climb even higher. Too often, cultural biases, lack of insurance, and just not having enough providers who understand their background, get in the way of these communities getting the mental health support they need. Letting mental health stigma persist isn’t just wrong, for millions of people, it’s a life-or-death issue.
This stigma rears its ugly head in casual “jokes” that make light of very real mental health conditions or in dismissive comments aimed at brushing off someone’s suffering as simply being “in a mood.” In addition, many people are left out of social circles because they’re viewed as “different” due to their mental health struggles. Stigma like this strains, and even breaks relationships, leaving people feeling profoundly misunderstood, alone, and alienated.
But, we have the power to change this harsh reality. We can all make a difference by becoming more aware of the subtle ways stigma creeps into our language and mindsets; by seeing people first and not just their diagnoses; and by learning how to respond with real empathy and support instead of judgment.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) developed a conversation guide (PDF | 98 KB) to help friends and family members start respectful discussions to guide loved ones to resources that can help.
Breaking Down Barriers for LGBTQ+ Youth and Mental Health
We are particularly devoted to ensuring our LGBTQ+ youth have access to affirmative and supportive mental health support and resources. At FYI+ La Vida Project, our spaces are intentionally designed to provide a welcoming environment where diverse identities are accepted, validated, and celebrated unconditionally. From providing clothing to offering free classes that build confidence and community, we’re committed to empowering our LGBTQ+ youth to show up as themselves.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many existing inequalities, including serious mental health disparities facing LGBTQ+ young people. According to newly released data from The Trevor Project, 60% of LGBTQ+ youth reported symptoms of major depressive disorder during the pandemic, including more than 2 in 3 transgender and non-binary youth.
Alarmingly, 48% of LGBTQ+ youth engaged in self-harm in 2022, and a staggering 73% experienced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder – a number that climbs even higher (83%) when looking specifically at transgender and non-binary youth. Clearly, LGBTQ+ adolescents are carrying a tremendously heavy mental health burden during this already turbulent life stage.
These sobering statistics underscore why Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder that much more must be done to dismantle stigma and provide sufficient, equitable mental health support tailored to LGBTQ+ youth from all backgrounds.
Empowering Through Therapy
A cornerstone of our services is the outpatient therapy we provide for individuals, families, chosen families, and couples alike. Our licensed professionals create judgment-free zones where open and honest dialogue can take place. By deepening understanding through guided conversations, we equip loved ones with the tools to better support one another’s mental health journeys and help mend strained relationships.
Regardless of someone’s ability to pay for services, FYI+ will ensure individuals and families have access to the treatment they need. We also have the ability to provide free therapy for LGBTQ+ participants and those questioning their sexual and/or gender identity, along with their families (both biological and chosen) through our Rainbow Connections Program.
Our Commitment: Fostering Stigma-Free Zones
Across all our services, our team upholds a commitment to our participants – FYI+ will be a stigma-free zone. We cultivate cultures of compassion, open-mindedness, and respect. Our providers receive ongoing training to equip them with the language, knowledge, and skills to uplift every individual’s inherent worth beyond any demographic or diagnostic label. To start your journey with us, please complete our referral form here to see how we can support you and/or your family.
As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month 2024, we come together to shatter mental health stigma by empowering individuals to get the care they need and deserve. The team at FYI+ will continue building a community where every participant’s mental well-being is given the support, priority, and acceptance it deserves.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or in need of support, there are several resources available in the area. These include crisis hotlines, warm lines, and mobile response teams that provide help and guidance during difficult times. Here are the details:
FYI+ Main Number Call: 575-522-4004 (during regular business hours)
FYI+ On-Call Number Call or Text: 575-520-3461
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or Text: 988 (for Behavioral Health Emergencies)
New Mexico Crisis & Access Line (24/7) Call or Text: 1-855-NMCRISIS (1-855-662-7474)
New Mexico Peer-to-Peer Warm Line Call: 855-466-7100 (7:00 AM – 11:30 AM) Text: 855-466-7100 (6:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
Kid Talk Warm Line Call or Text: 575-636-3636 (10:00 AM – 12:00 AM)
Project L.I.G.H.T. A mobile mental health crisis response team run by the Las Cruces Fire Department. Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Monday – Saturday. Can be requested by calling 911.