SAVE Suicide Prevention Team Celebrates One Year of Outreach to Over 7,000 Veterans

BOSTON — The Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE) program today celebrated the initiative’s great success just one year after it was launched. Through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Public Health (DPH) and DVS, the SAVE team provides information and resources to veterans and their families. Launched February 11, 2008 at the State House, the team has become an active, and integral, part of the veterans' community within the Commonwealth.

“I am proud of our SAVE team members and the great work they are doing across the Commonwealth to serve our veterans,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Affairs. “Because of these brave men and women, we enjoy our freedom, peace of mind, and safety. We can’t thank them for their service enough, but we can provide them with the critical services they need when they come home.”

“The SAVE program has had a tremendous effect on the veterans’ community. In one year, they have reached out to over 7,000 veterans and families throughout the Commonwealth. Through peer support, the team provides advocacy and assistance to service members and their families in accessing benefits and services available to them. These men and women have fought for us, and I am proud that Massachusetts is leading the way to fight for them,” said Veterans’ Services Secretary, Tom Kelley.

The fundamental principle of the SAVE program is to advocate for veterans who are not able to obtain the benefits they have earned due to institutional or personal barriers. The program’s primary mission is the prevention of suicide and mental health distress through the identification of issues facing veterans when they return from service and proactively providing them with access to benefits and services that may address these issues and result in positive transitions back to civilian life. SAVE acts as a liaison between veterans and their families and the various agencies within the federal and state governments.

“Thanks to the dedication of the SAVE team, we are making important strides in assuring that veterans across the Commonwealth get the support and care they need and deserve to help prevent suicides and address distress,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby.

The outreach efforts of the SAVE team have brought them to cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth, resulting in outreach to over 7,000 veterans and family members. The team works closely with the Massachusetts National Guard, Veterans’ Service Officers, veterans’ service organizations, the federal Veterans Administration, and various private and non-profit groups.

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