(10/09/2026 -Westfield) Following the release of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ new report last week on veteran suicide, Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) today called for increased efforts to connect veterans with VA health care and mental health services. The report found that 6,488 veterans died by suicide in 2024, an average of nearly 18 veterans every day, and 62% were not receiving VA health care in the year they died or the year prior. The report also found that the suicide rate among veterans enrolled in VA health care decreased by 4.8% from 2023 to 2024, while the rate among veterans not enrolled in VA care increased by 3.7%.
“We have known for years that we need to do more to address veteran suicide, but these numbers make one thing very clear: we cannot reach veterans if they are not connected to care,” said Senator Velis, who is also the Senate Chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs. “If nearly two-thirds of veterans who died by suicide were not receiving VA health care, then we need to be asking ourselves what more we can do to make sure every veteran knows what resources are available to them and how to access them.
The report released by the VA highlights the importance of connecting veterans with care, specifically noting that suicide rates decreased among veterans enrolled in VA health care while increasing among veterans who were not enrolled.
“We cannot wait for a veteran to be in crisis before we start asking whether they are connected to the care they have earned,” said Velis, who is also a U.S. Army veteran himself. “We have Veterans Service Officers in communities across this Commonwealth who are already working every day to connect veterans with benefits and resources. We should be doing everything we can to make sure veterans know whether they qualify for VA health care and have a clear path to getting enrolled.”
In response to the VA’s report, Velis called attention to the recent approach Massachusetts took in the SPEED Act to reach service-members exposed to burn pits and other toxic hazards, as a remedy for increasing enrollment in VA healthcare. The SPEED Act, filed by Velis and enacted in 2022, directed state agencies to proactively reach service-members with information about the health impacts of toxic exposures and available resources. Velis said he plans to examine whether a similar approach can be used to proactively connect veterans with mental health care, identify veterans who may not be connected to the VA system, and ensure they have clear information about the services available to them. Velis noted he plans to work with veterans’ organizations, Veterans Service Officers, state agencies and mental health providers to identify potential legislative solutions ahead of the next session.
Any veteran experiencing a mental health crisis can call 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255.