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.
“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," said Governor Healey. "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.”
“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).
The law follows years of advocacy, including the tireless contributions from the Partyka family, whose son, Sergeant Matthew Partyka, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran from Hingham, died by suicide in 2022. Matthew’s family has been instrumental in raising awareness about Veteran suicide and pushing for legislative change. The Partyka family’s efforts helped bring this issue to the forefront of the agenda within the House of Representatives and the Senate, and their work has been influential in ensuring that Massachusetts officially designates September 22nd as a day of remembrance for Veterans lost to suicide.
“The Partyka family’s courage has helped to get this legislation across the finish line and their efforts work to ensure other families do not have to suffer the unthinkable tragedy they endured,” said Representative Meschino.
“Matthew’s passing is a painful reminder of the struggles faced by so many in the veteran community,” said Senator O’Connor. “In 2022, I had the privilege of attending a powerful event in Hingham, where we listened to the stories of families and community members who have lost loved ones to suicide. It was a touching moment that highlighted the need for us to act now.”
This legislation serves to shed light on the tragic and persistent issue of mental health struggles and suicide in our Veteran community. On average, we lose 7,000 Veterans to suicide each year in the U.S. In 2020, 1 in 9 suicide deaths in Massachusetts were current or former military personnel.
Massachusetts is the first state to pass this legislation. The new law builds upon Massachusetts' ongoing commitment to improving mental health services for military members and Veterans. In recent years, the Commonwealth has passed key legislation like the SPEED Act and HERO Act, which have expanded mental health resources for Veterans.