UpLifting Wellness: Prevention Strategies for COVID and Suicide
The October installment of our UpLifting Wellness column covers prevention strategies for COVID-19 and suicide.
by Samantha Anne Carrillo
Yes, New Mexico, COVID’s Still A Thing
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, a.k.a. SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, remains active in New Mexico. According to the New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMDOH) Viral Respiratory Infection Dashboard, COVID-19 was responsible for 3.48 percent of all respiratory virus discharge diagnoses within the state during the week of Aug. 12, 2024 - Aug. 18, 2024. That’s the highest COVID diagnosis percentage documented by the dashboard since Nov. 20, 2023 - Nov. 26, 2023, when it was 3.7 percent. Check out the dashboard for yourself at bit.ly/nmvrid.
Dominant COVID Strains
The United States Centers for Disease Control reports that the dominant COVID strains are still KP.2 and KP.3 variants—from a family of strains referred to FLiRT variants—which are subvariants of omicron JN.1. The most effective strategies we have to combat the ongoing COVID pandemic are staying up to date on vaccinations and practicing common-sense infection control methods like masking up in crowded public spaces, washing hands frequently and staying home from work or school if and so long as you test positive for COVID.
2024-2025 COVID Vaccines
Three updated COVID vaccines are now available to residents of New Mexico: the 2024–2025 Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; the 2024–2025 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine; and the 2024–2025 Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine. The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are recommended for ages 6 months and older, while the Novavax vaccine is recommended for patients ages 12 and older. According to the CDC, there is no preference for one vaccine over the other when more than one vaccine is recommended for a given age group. Learn more about vaccine availability and schedule your appointment for an updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 Vaccine at vaccine.doh.nm.gov.
New Mexico Ranks Fourth in Nation for Suicide
According to the latest available statistics, New Mexico had the fourth highest rate of suicide in the United States (24.7 per 100,000 residents) during 2022. In a press release issued on Sept. 5, 2024, NMDOH Chief Medical Officer Dr. Miranda Durham said, “Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting effects on communities. Preventing suicide requires many strategies, but everyone can help by learning the warning signs, promoting prevention and working to foster healthy connections and safe environments.”
Who’s At Risk?
According to NMDOH Lead Suicide Prevention Coordinator Clairie Miller, suicide rates in the state New Mexico are too high but don't differ significantly from other regional rates. Miller said there are higher rates of suicide among some segments of the population. In New Mexico and across the nation, men’s rates of suicide outnumber those of women by a ratio of 4 to 1. Local communities burdened with a higher risk of suicide include African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and members of Indigenous communities.
Risk Factors
"It is high across the board. It is high in every age group. It is high in many demographics, ethnicities—it really is a multi-generational, multicultural problem," Miller said. The National Council for Suicide Prevention has outlined risk factors and characteristics that make a person more likely to attempt or die by suicide, which include: alcohol and other substance use disorders; mental illnesses, a history of trauma or abuse; family health history, easy access to lethal means; and stigma or a sense of isolation associated with asking for help.