ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New data is showing New Mexico's suicide death numbers are decreasing among women and indigenous peoples. "While it does feel hopeful, and it's certainly promising, there is no win here. Every life lost to suicide in New Mexico matters," said Clarie Miller, lead suicide prevention coordinator with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). NMDOH says New Mexico is fourth in the nation for the number of lives lost to suicide, and second in the nation for the number of adolescent suicides; however, there is new data coming from the CDC that has the department encouraged. "We have done a lot of work over the last two to three years to focus on suicide prevention and save lives and it's working," Miller said. In 2020 and 2021, 520 people died by suicide in New Mexico. In 2022, that number dropped slightly to 513; and provisional data shows in 2023, that number dropped by nine percent. "We know that there is hope; we want to hold on to that. We can't take our foot off the gas right now," Miller said. ‘We want to do right by this brand’: New owners of Marble Brewery speak out According to the NMDOH Center for Health Protection, women who died by suicide went down more than 40%, from 116 deaths in 2022 to 67 deaths in 2023. New Mexico American Indian and Alaska Native residents who died by suicide decreased by 43% from 77 deaths to 44 deaths. Overall, the state's suicide death rate decreased by 9% in 2023, although the suicide death rate is still 9% higher than it was ten years ago. NMDOH attributes the decrease to a couple of factors: "9-8-8 was rolled out in 2022. We were able to really saturate our communities with the information and the availability to be able to use it. I mean it's great if we have number but we have to make sure everyone can access it too," Miller said. They also credit supporting non-profits, widespread training, and handing out nearly 25,000 gun locks in 2023: "We know that reduced access to lethal means saves lives," Miller said. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Albuquerque says while the decrease isn't a surprise thanks to 9-8-8, there's still more to be done. "You know, the number that didn't go down is for men, and you know we've got to be able to reach men and say, 'it's okay to hurt, it's okay to ask for help. You're not going to be judged and it's okay to reach out,'" said David Burke, board president of NAMI Albuquerque. "The world is a better place with each of us in it, and everyone deserves to have access to mental health care," Miller said. The department is inviting New Mexicans to the Roundhouse on February 12 to recognize Suicide Prevention Day. Anyone who is struggling or in need of help can call New Mexico's 988 Lifeline. The lifeline is available 24/7 for emotional, mental health a,nd substance use support.