Missouri House unanimously passes bill expanding suicide prevention for veterans

(The Center Square) – The Missouri House unanimously sent a bill to the Senate that would require the state’s Veterans Commission to expand its suicide prevention efforts and file annual reports on the work with the legislature.

House Bill 1495, approved by a vote of 157-0, would mandate collaboration between the Missouri Veterans Commission and the Department of Mental Health to review the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Act of 2019 and any related regulations. The federal regulations broaden mental health care and suicide prevention programs and evaluate and treat mental health conditions for veterans.

During a January hearing on the bill, testimony revealed Missouri’s veteran suicide rate is 45.2 per 100,000, higher than the national rate of 33.9.

“It does not really matter what the number is,” Rep. David Griffith, R-Jefferson City, and chairman of the House Veterans Committee, said in a statement announcing the passage of the bill. “I don’t care about how Missouri ranks – we have too many veterans taking their lives. Just one is too many.”

Approximately 18 veterans committed suicide each day in 2021, according to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs report. The 6,392 veterans losing their lives was an increase of 100 compared to 2020. The report found 185 Missouri veterans committed suicide in 2021 and the 2023 report found that the state’s veteran suicide rate is significantly higher than the national average.

- Advertisement -

“These types of services are crucial in preventing veteran suicides,” Griffith said. “If we can prevent one suicide today… we can start turning this into a downward trend. Every Missourian can make a difference. We can take that step today.”

The Veterans Commission would be required to file an annual report on its recommendations, implementation and effectiveness of efforts to prevent veteran suicide. The first report would be due July 1, 2025, and by July 1 every year thereafter and filed with the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly.

“By prioritizing comprehensive measures to prevent the tragedy of veteran suicides, we are reaffirming our duty to those who have sacrificed for our freedom,” Speaker Dean Plocher, R-St. Louis, said in a statement. “This legislation exemplifies our shared commitment to the mental health and resilience of Missouri’s veterans, marking a significant stride towards building a future where no veteran is left behind.”

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

School Choice Week: Wisconsin courts paved the way for success

(The Center Square) – Education reformers in Wisconsin are...

New EO to streamline inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths in King County

(The Center Square) – King County Executive Dow Constantine...

Sexton creates firestorm with Memphis school board comments

(The Center Square) – One Tennessee Democrat said a...

Matzie reintroduces speculative ticketing bill

(The Center Square) - Legislators are taking another turn...

Ohio lawmakers blasts attorney general for Costco letter

(The Center Square) – An Ohio state senator blasted...

New York lawmakers want to make ‘masked harassment’ a crime

(The Center Square) — New York lawmakers are weighing...

Bossier City Council faces two separate spring votes on term limits

(The Center Square) – After two years of legal...

More like this
Related

School Choice Week: Wisconsin courts paved the way for success

(The Center Square) – Education reformers in Wisconsin are...

New EO to streamline inquests into law enforcement-involved deaths in King County

(The Center Square) – King County Executive Dow Constantine...

Sexton creates firestorm with Memphis school board comments

(The Center Square) – One Tennessee Democrat said a...

Matzie reintroduces speculative ticketing bill

(The Center Square) - Legislators are taking another turn...