Governor Maura Healey has signed a new state law establishing September 22 as Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day in Massachusetts.

The measure (S.2189/H.3388) was filed by state Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and state Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). The lawmakers said the new designation will help the state recognize veterans lost to suicide and draw attention to the mental health needs of service members.

Healey signed the measure on Wednesday, November 19, after both chambers passed the measure unanimously earlier in the month.

“The official establishment of Veterans Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Day is a crucial step forward in honoring those we have tragically lost and in acknowledging the mental health challenges faced by our veterans," O'Connor said in a press release emailed to NewBostonPost. "This is a call to action for us all to better support the men and women who have served our country.”

Meschino said the bill responds to losses felt in communities across the South Shore.

“We brought forward this legislation in direct response to the tragedies that have left holes in the fabric of our communities and in order to build awareness to prevent future tragedy,” Meschino said in the written statement. “H.3388 is an important step in offering support to both our active service members and veterans.”

The law follows a public push from the Partyka family of Hingham. Their son, Sergeant Matthew Partyka, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and died by suicide in 2022. Since then, the family has worked with legislators, veterans groups, and local officials to raise awareness about mental health challenges in the veteran community. Lawmakers credited their advocacy for helping the bill move forward.

“The Partyka family’s courage has helped to get this legislation across the finish line and their efforts work to ensure other families do not have to suffer the unthinkable tragedy they endured,” Meschino said in the press release.

O’Connor noted that he attended a remembrance event in Hingham in 2022 where families spoke about loved ones who died by suicide.

“Matthew’s passing is a painful reminder of the struggles faced by so many in the veteran community,” O’Connor said. “In 2022, I had the privilege of attending a powerful event in Hingham, where we listened to the stories of families and community members who have lost loved ones to suicide. It was a touching moment that highlighted the need for us to act now.”

Local veterans advocates have also backed the effort.

The press release announcing the bill signing cited former veterans service officer and Hingham resident Keith Jermyn, Hingham veteran Janine Sucheki, current veterans service officer Shannon Burke of Hingham, and the Hingham Veterans Council for their long-term work on the issue.

State officials say the new day of recognition comes as veteran suicide remains a major national and statewide problem. More than 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That is more than 15 percent of the suicides in the United States, the same data shows.