BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick last week signed legislation creating a commission to study the mental health needs of U.S. military veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
A study report last week from the Rand Corporation had estimated that 300,000 U.S. troops are suffering from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray noted in announcing the measure’s signing. The subject also is being investigated by researchers at Brown University.
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“We cannot allow the brave men and women who serve our country to struggle with treatable mental health problems,” said Murray, who chairs the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veteran Services.
“This administration is committed to ensuring that our veterans are cared for completely. We have already started to put the necessary supports in place, including the recent launch of the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans’ Empowerment (SAVE) program, and now, through this commission.”
The new commission also will establish a mental health treatment program for Mass. National Guard members, a state military family leave policy for caregivers and a statewide education training program to assist first responders in recognizing the early warning signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Patrick will appoint five of the commission’s 15 members; the other 10 will be representatives from the Mass. Senate and House, the Mass. National Guard, the Mass. Commissioner of Probation, the Mass. Secretary of Veterans’ Services, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Massachusetts Veterans’ Service Officers Association, the Massachusetts District Attorneys Association, and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.
Additional news and information from the governor’s office can be found at www.mass.gov.
