The Healey-Driscoll Administration, as part of their ongoing effort to curb veteran suicides, has completed an extensive statewide Lethal Means Safety training initiative. The program, which aims to educate communities on reducing veterans' access to firearms and medications during moments of crisis, was made possible through funding acquired from the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant. According to a report by Mass.gov, the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) orchestrated the training together with support from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and the Office of Grants and Research (OGR).
The decision to focus on lethal means safety comes from the knowledge that many suicide attempts occur impulsively and that firearms have a high fatality rate of 85 to 90 percent. To this end, the program included a significant investment in safety equipment, totaling $110,000 and comprising 2,000 safes, 5,000 trigger locks, and 5,000 cable locks, all tagged with crisis support line contact information. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey cited, "This training initiative will save lives by teaching practical skills, building confidence and creating safer homes for veterans,” in a statement obtained by Mass.gov.
Massachusetts reports veterans accounting for 6 percent of the U.S. population but 14 percent of suicide deaths—an alarming statistic that adds urgency to the state's efforts. Insights from Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago underscore this concern. “Veteran suicide continues to take far too many lives, and we must remain relentless in our response,” Santiago told Mass.gov. His statement reflects the administration’s pledge to fortify a community-based approach in preventing such tragedies.
A core element of the program's success, cites the full, 12-hour Train-the-Trainer curriculum which encompassed firearm safety, suicide prevention, and trauma informed care, as per the Mass.gov statement. More than 50 community-based veteran service leaders completed the training, with a reported 100 percent of participants recommending the program and 98 percent intending to apply the training in their work. The efficacy of such training was not lost on the participants, who highlighted the practical demonstrations of secure storage and the peer discussions on managing sensitive conversations.
In addition to the face-to-face training, materials and resources were uploaded to the EOVS Learning Management System for ongoing access by VSOs and partner organizations. The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant, managed by the Office of Grants and Research, has been key in advancing this cause, enabling Massachusetts to offer veteran-specific programming in pursuit of reducing gun violence and supporting crisis intervention among veterans. The SAVE and SERVE programs within EOVS are touted to embody the Commonwealth's dedication to veteran suicide prevention and intervention efforts. The two prongs of this initiative not only address prevention but also reintegration, emphasizing the all-encompassing approach Massachusetts takes in nurturing the wellbeing of its veterans community.
