Governor Healey Signs Bill Designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day
BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura Healey ceremonially signed An Act designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, under which the Governor will issue an annual proclamation on September 22 in remembrance of military service members and veterans who died by suicide. The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Joan Meschino and Senator Patrick O'Connor and signed by Governor Healey on November 19, aims to raise awareness of mental health resources and support that are available for service members and veterans.
“Massachusetts leads the nation in veteran’s services. Throughout our history and to this day, our service members have defended our freedom, strengthened our democracy, and ensured our prosperity,” said Governor Healey. “By officially designating September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, we’re honoring the sacrifices our military members make every single day, acknowledging the mental health struggles they all too often face, and raising awareness of support that is available to them. I’m grateful to Representative Meschino and Senator O'Connor for their commitment to ensuring Massachusetts continues to honor our veterans and make mental health resources available.”
“Our military service members and our veterans sacrifice so much for our country. Their mental health shouldn’t be one of those sacrifices,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to delivering for veterans, and we hope this bill will raise awareness and encourage others to seek help.”
“At EOVS, we meet veterans and families at some of their hardest moments. We see the impact suicide has on loved ones, and we see the difference that timely support can make. By establishing this day of remembrance, Massachusetts is shining a light on those realities and reaffirming our commitment to delivering the resources that prevent tragedy and strengthen hope,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago.
Governor Healey has taken several steps since taking office to prioritize the well-being of Massachusetts’ veterans. In 2024, Governor Healey signed the HERO Act, Massachusetts’ most comprehensive piece of veterans’ legislation in the state’s history. This legislation included provisions that focused on expanding access to behavioral health treatment, increasing benefits for disabled veterans, codifying medical and dental benefits, and establishing a working group to study the benefits of alternative therapies for treating veterans' mental health disorders.
Under Governor Healey’s leadership, the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) has spearheaded several initiatives to help address mental health challenges faced by Massachusetts veterans, including:
- In partnership with the Governor’s Challenge, EOVS worked with the VA/SAMHSA Suicide Mortality Review Academy to establish a statewide Suicide Mortality Review Committee (SMRC). The committee will review suicide fatalities, identify contributing factors, and recommend interventions to reduce suicide rates in Massachusetts.
- Awarded $2 million in grant funding to 15 community organizations through the Veterans Community Initiative (VCI) grant program for innovative mental health programs and peer support efforts among veterans.
- Revamping the SAVE (Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment) program to better address the evolving needs of the veteran community to better focus on preventing suicide and mental health distress and connect veterans with peer support and available benefits.
- Revived the Veteran’s Reintegration Advisory Committee (VRAC) which investigates, studies, and scrutinizes various aspects of veterans' reintegration into civilian life. Its primary objectives include reducing suicide rates and addressing the profound effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among veterans. The committee also explores the impact of community peer liaisons on veterans' successful reintegration into society and delves into the critical link between isolation and veteran suicide.
“The Massachusetts Senate will never stop working toward a day when no veteran feels they are without hope or resources. In fact, the Senate is committed to ensuring every veteran in our state receives the behavioral health care they deserve to live healthy and stable lives,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “That’s why we passed the strongest veteran services bill in the nation and why we advanced this legislation to raise awareness across the Commonwealth. I commend Senator O’Connor for his leadership on this issue, thank Governor Healey for signing it into law, and thank every servicemember who has served our country.”
“Ensuring that state government is doing everything that it can to support the Commonwealth’s veterans is one of the most important responsibilities that we have as elected officials, which is why I’m incredibly proud of the work that we have done to establish Massachusetts as a national leader in caring for veterans. That being said, the designation of September 22 as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day is a reminder of the work that we must continue to do to ensure that our veterans are supported during and after their years of service,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey, as well as my colleagues in the House and our partners in the Senate, for understanding the importance of raising awareness for the services and support that are available to veterans in Massachusetts.”
“We brought forward this legislation in direct response to the tragedies that have left holes in the fabric of our communities and in order to build awareness to prevent future tragedy,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “Thank you to Governor Healey for her support of H.3388, an important step in offering support to both our active service members and veterans.”
“Signing the Veteran Suicide awareness and Remembrance Day legislation into law upholds our commitment to remembering those we have lost and to confronting the mental health challenges, especially PTSD, that continue to affect our service members and Veterans,” said Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “September 22nd, will serve as a reminder that our responsibility to the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country does not end when their service does. There are too many families that have experienced this heartbreaking loss. We will continue to support the Veteran community, spread awareness, and ensure that no Veteran feels alone. These are our heroes, and we need to let them know that we are there for them always. I want to thank Governor Healey for prioritizing this legislation and signing this into law.”
Additionally, Governor Healey launched a $20 million campaign to end veteran homelessness, the largest targeted veteran housing investment in Massachusetts history. Partnering with statewide organizations, the campaign placed 800+ veterans into housing and advanced new developments in under 15 months, putting Massachusetts on track to reach functional zero veteran homelessness.
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