November 24, 2025 Submitted by State Representative Joan Meschino’s Office
On November 19, State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) celebrated the signing of S.2189/H.3388, An Act Designating Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day, which officially recognizes September 22nd as Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day in Massachusetts. This law ensures we remember the lives lost to suicide within the Veteran community and raises awareness of the mental health challenges faced by members of the military.
“I am optimistic to see this bill signed into law today,” said Senator O’Connor. “The official establishment of Military Service Members and Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day is a crucial step forward in honoring those we have tragically lost and in acknowledging the mental health challenges faced by our veterans. This is a call to action for us all to better support the men and women who have served our country.”
“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 Meschino. “H.3388 is an important step in offering support to both our active service members and veterans.”
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.”
The Hingham event was organized with the support of local Veterans groups, including Former Veterans Service Officer Keith Jermyn, Hingham Veteran Janine Sucheki, current Veteran Service Officer Shannon Burke, and members of the Hingham Veterans Council. Their long-term efforts to raise awareness and advocate for the mental health of veterans have been a driving force in the movement to establish this day of remembrance.
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.
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. With the official designation of September 22nd, Massachusetts now joins other states in formally recognizing the mental health crisis within military and Veteran populations.
For additional information, please contact Senator O’Connor or Representative Meschino’s office.