Gilberto Romero (1941-2021) was a pioneering mental health advocate, educator, and community leader who dedicated nearly five decades of his life to championing behavioral health services, recovery support, and advocacy for underrepresented populations in New Mexico and nationwide. Known widely for his profound mentorship and grassroots impact within the peer and mental health movements, his guiding philosophy of inclusivity was encapsulated in his signature message: “Everyone’s in. No one’s out.”
(Photo Credit: Mobilize Recovery)
Key Contributions & Honors
- Advocacy & Leadership: He spent decades advocating for mental health reform, working closely with community organizations, state initiatives, and academic institutions, including the University of New Mexico and Northern New Mexico College (where he also served as a faculty member).
- National Recognition: In 2018, he received the prestigious SAMHSA Voice Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his nearly fifty years of advocacy for behavioral health services and support. He was also honored as the NASW New Mexico Chapter Public Citizen of the Year.
- Honorary Degree: In 2017, Northern New Mexico College awarded him an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in recognition of his extensive contributions to mental health advocacy and education.
Gilberto Romero passed away in early 2021 at the age of 80, leaving behind an enduring legacy of compassion, human rights, and transformative leadership in the mental health community.
Sources: Northern New Mexico College, SAMHSA (Voice Awards),
Additional Information
LinkedIn Post by Paolo del Vecchio:
I am sad to share the passing of Gilberto Romero, age 83, from Cuartelez, New Mexico. Breaking many barriers as a Latino man in recovery, Gilberto founded and hosted an 18-year long radio program on public health and was a renown national and international mental health leader. He received the National Association of Social Workers’ Public Citizen of the Year award, the Latino Behavioral Health Institute’s Honor Roll award, which is given to community members who exemplify the ideals of César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta by making meaningful contributions to the public good through leadership, service and education, and the New Mexico Governor’s recognition for Achievement in Aging award, among many others. In 2017, Gilberto was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree from Northern New Mexico College and in 2018, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for advocating for behavioral health services and supports for underrepresented populations. Gilberto remarked that in contrast to a PhD, he was a PhK – a ‘practitioner of human kindness’ and he demonstrated kindness with many. Gilberto often concluded his conversations by encouraging us to ‘stay well!”. He will be missed. Rest in Power.
Multimedia
STAR Center . Interview with Gilberto Romero: A Public Health Approach to Mental Health. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oea7jG0NVQE
StoryCorp . Gilberto Romero & Jerrold Salazar. https://www.embudovalleylibrary.org/storycorps-healthcare