Amendment ID: S2572-47-R2

2nd Redraft Amendment 47

Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Transition Services for Veterans

Ms. DiZoglio, Mr. Tarr, Ms. Gobi, Messrs. Montigny and Gomez, Ms. Moran and Mr. O'Connor move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section 57 the following section:-

“SECTION 57A. (a) The department of veterans’ services shall convene an advisory committee that shall consist of, but not be limited to: 2  representatives of the Massachusetts chapter of Team Red, White & Blue; 2  representatives of the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Home Base Program; 2 representatives of the Wounded Warriors Project; 2 representatives of the Mass Mentoring Partnership, Inc.; 2 representatives of the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention; and 2 representatives of the Massachusetts Psychological Association, Inc. The members of the committee shall have experience in mental health or veterans support services with an emphasis on treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety among veterans.

(b) The committee shall, in coordination with the department of veterans’ services and the department of mental health, investigate and study: (i) ways to augment services to returning veterans to reduce the rate of suicide and the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety among veterans; and (ii) the complexity of reintegration into civilian life and issues related to isolation and suicide among veterans. The committee shall provide support and expertise to reduce isolation and suicide among returning veterans.

The committee shall also examine: (i) the impact of having a community peer liaison on a veteran’s reintegration into society; (ii) the relationship between isolation and suicide among veterans; and (iii) the impact of having a community peer liaison on symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety in diagnosed veterans.

Not later than January 1, 2023, the committee shall file a report of its findings and any recommendations, with the clerks of the senate and house of representatives, the joint committee on veterans and federal affairs and the joint committee on mental health, substance use and recovery.”.