Report: 171 Missouri veterans died by suicide in 2022
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri Veterans Commission’s veterans suicide prevention report that was published this week shows 171 veterans in the state died by suicide in 2022.
The report shows that 42.6 of every 100,000 Missouri veterans died by suicide, higher than the national average of 34.7 of every 100,000.
Guns made up roughly three-quarters of veteran deaths in the state, while it made up two-thirds of the state’s overall suicides and 55% of the nationally reported number. Veteran deaths made up 14.5% of the state’s 1,179 reported suicides for that year.
Date from the report shows that the central region of the state reported 22 deaths by suicide for the year. The St. Louis metro area had the most with 52, while the southwestern portion had 39 and the Kansas City metro area had 36.
The prevention program aims to decrease the number of veteran suicides, the report says. The report claims that roadblocks include the ongoing stigma of mental health struggles and help-seeking for veterans. The report also says that access to mental health services is difficult for veterans.
“Barriers such as transportation shortfalls and a lack of awareness of available resources are limiting factors for Veterans seeking mental health support,” the report says.
Those needing immediate attention can call the national suicide hotline at 988.