Press Release: 12/11/2025

EOVS distributed $110,000 worth of safety equipment to veterans across the state

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

12/11/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Jacqueline Manning

Phone

Call Jacqueline Manning at (857) 303-6051

Online

Email Jacqueline Manning at jacqueline.manning@mass.gov

SAVE and SERVE Team Members smiling in a group after hosting a training in Marlborough, MA

BOSTON, MA — The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) today announced the completion of a statewide Lethal Means Safety training initiative, further strengthening the state’s suicide-prevention efforts for veterans and their families. With the support of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) and the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), this work was funded through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant, for which EOVS was selected through a competitive application process.

Lethal means safety training focuses on reducing access to firearms and medications during moments of crisis, a critical strategy because many suicide attempts occur impulsively, and firearms have an 85 to 90 percent fatality rate.

As part of the program, EOVS also secured $110,000 in firearm safety equipment. This included 2,000 safes, 5,000 trigger locks, and 5,000 cable locks. Each item was labeled with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Veterans Crisis Line before being distributed at community trainings and outreach events.

“Massachusetts continues to lead in veteran suicide prevention because we invest in people and communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This training initiative will save lives by teaching practical skills, building confidence and creating safer homes for veterans. I am proud of the teams that carried this work forward and grateful for the leadership of our veteran serving partners across the state.”

“Veteran suicide continues to take far too many lives, and we must remain relentless in our response,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “This initiative shows what proactive suicide prevention looks like. When communities understand the warning signs and know how to act, we save lives. I am grateful to our partners at the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and to every Veterans Service Officer who helped bring this training into their communities.”

Veterans make up six percent of the United States population but account for 14 percent of suicide deaths. Women veterans experience a lethal means suicide rate that is more than 280 percent higher than that of non-veteran women. In 2020, one of every nine suicides in Massachusetts involved someone with current or past military service.

“This investment reflects our commitment to protecting those who have protected us,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina K. Kwon. “Through this first-time grant program administered by the Office of Grants and Research, we are supporting the Executive Office of Veterans Services in their vital work of supporting veterans’ health and wellness, expanding suicide prevention education, and raising awareness of the warning signs of a crisis. It also equips veteran service providers with the knowledge and resources needed to promote safety and honor the service and sacrifice of veterans across Massachusetts.”

“The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program allows us to invest in the wellbeing of communities through crisis intervention and gun violence prevention. Using the grant funds they received, the Executive Office of Veterans Services delivered trainings that will help save the lives of veterans across Massachusetts. We’re proud to support this critical work,” said Office of Grants and Research Executive Director Kevin Stanton.

Over the past year, the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment (SAVE)program and the Supporting and Empowering Reintegration for Veterans Equality (SERVE) program, led by Deputy Chief Engagement Officer for Peer Support and Outreach, Lynette Gabrilla, delivered regional Lethal Means Safety trainings to strengthen community-level suicide prevention.

The teams developed and completed a 12-hour Train-the-Trainer curriculum that combined firearm safety, suicide prevention, and trauma informed care. The curriculum prepared SAVE and SERVE staff to train local partners and to integrate lethal means safety into ongoing outreach and casework.

Building on that foundation, SAVE and SERVE launched a five-county, “Train the Community” series for Veterans Service Officers (VSOs), local organizations, and community stakeholders. The trainings focused on how to identify risk, how to talk about firearms and medications in a respectful and nonjudgmental way, and how to connect veterans and families to secure storage and crisis support. Participants reported meaningful gains in knowledge, confidence, and practical skills, including:

53 community-based veteran service leaders completed the training;

96 percent reported increased knowledge of lethal means safety;

88 percent reported feeling more confident discussing suicide with veterans;

94 percent reported that the tools and language taught in the training were useful;

100 percent said they would recommend the training to other VSOs or veteran serving partners;

98 percent said they plan to apply the training in their work.

Participants cited strengths such as practical demonstrations of secure storage, clear instruction, real life examples, concrete language for difficult conversations, experienced presenters, and time for peer discussion.

The teams also uploaded the full training materials to the EOVS Learning Management System (LMS) to support continued access for VSOs and partner organizations.

About the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant

The Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant provides federal funding to states to support evidence-based crisis intervention strategies that reduce gun violence and suicide, promote secure firearm storage, and improve access to services during periods of elevated risk. The program supports training, equipment distribution, and collaborative initiatives that help communities identify warning signs earlier and respond more effectively. The federal funds are managed and administered in Massachusetts by the Office of Grants and Research, an agency that is part of EOPSS.

Massachusetts used a portion of its Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Grant to support veteran-specific programming. By selecting the Executive Office of Veterans Services as the only veteran serving grant recipient, the Commonwealth recognized the high rate of firearm related suicide among veterans and the critical role that community-based interventions play in prevention.

About EOVS’ SAVE and SERVE Programs

The Statewide Advocacy for Veterans Empowerment (SAVE) and Supporting and Empowering Reintegration for Veterans Equality (SERVE) programs operate within the Executive Office of Veterans Services as complementary initiatives grounded in inclusive, accessible, and evidence-based peer support with case management. Together, they ensure that veterans receive compassionate guidance that promotes mental health, stability, and dignity.

The SAVE Program provides support navigating benefits, services, and resources. The program’s core mission is to prevent suicide and reduce mental health distress by proactively identifying and addressing the challenges veterans face. Through this work, SAVE creates pathways through systemic obstacles and supports veterans on their journey toward renewed purpose, stronger connections, and an enhanced quality of life.

The SERVE Program supports justice-involved veterans across Massachusetts. Delivered by an all-veteran team, SERVE offers tailored guidance to veterans navigating the criminal legal system and connects them with essential resources such as treatment, housing, and benefits. Operating in partnership with six Veteran Treatment Courts, SERVE focuses on jail diversion, reducing recidivism and supporting long-term stability.