New Mexico senator discusses vaccine equity, mental health at Las Cruces clinic

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - In a visit to a Las Cruces clinic on Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján asked how staffers are meeting the need for mental health treatment during the pandemic.

"There’s a stigma out there that discourages every one of us from coming forward to ask for assistance and help," Luján said. "It's OK not to feel OK."

During his trip to the La Clinica location on Alameda Boulevard, the New Mexico Democrat also addressed more equitable vaccine distribution across the state.

"Getting shots in people's arms is saving lives," Luján said. "It's not enough to say we're doing well ... we must work to get vaccine rates up to defeat this pandemic."

The latest state data shows more than 45% of residents 16 and older in New Mexico are fully vaccinated, and that nearly 59% have had one shot.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and top health officials say the state is on track to have at least 60% of residents fully vaccinated by the end of June.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)