State Sen. Velis, U.S. Sen. Warren to Host Roundtable on Veteran Suicide Today

HOLYOKE — Today, Oct. 24, state Sen. John Velis, Senate chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veteran and Federal Affairs, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a member of the U.S. Senate’s Armed Forces Committee, will host a roundtable at Holyoke Community College on the continued rising rates of veteran suicide.

This event will bring together local and statewide providers, including suicide-prevention teams from the Central Western Massachusetts VA, Massachusetts National Guard, and Western Massachusetts SAVE program. This roundtable aims to foster state and federal collaboration, assess ongoing efforts, and develop new strategies to address the veteran suicide crisis.

Veteran suicide remains an urgent and growing concern across the nation. According to the VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, an average of 17.5 veterans tragically take their life each day across the nation. Velis and Warren are committed to working with leaders at both the state and federal levels to improve intervention efforts and ensure that veterans receive the care they deserve.