Faith leaders are the first responders to family crisis. As such, the state team explored ways to enhance suicide prevention tools and resources available to faith leaders. There are several types of tools available nationally that people can download and use on their own, which was great to see. Our team felt one way we can contribute to their prevention work was to bring in-person training at no cost to faith leaders across the state. This is what started the faith community training project.

The state team established a work group of faith leaders from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri National Guard, national VA, Kansas City VA, local community congregation, and community partners, to help create the faith community training guide. Together, they created a guide that any congregation across the state will be able to download and use to host a day of suicide prevention training for other faith leaders, officers, and their staff.

The guide itself includes agenda with four key topics: exposure to the military culture, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training,  Conversations on Suicide Safer Homes lethal means safety training, and a panel discussion with different federal, state, and community resources. The guide has specific points of contacts for trainers, speakers, and panelists. It also includes brief explanations about how the different topics align with faith leader’s roles in their congregations and how it can help prevent suicide. There are pre- and post-training surveys to assist in gathering the impact the training has on attendees. The guide ends with additional resources and ways to continue professional growth in preventing suicide among Missouri’s military-connected community. The skills and tools learned in this day of training can also be used with the general public.

Next steps for the team are to review the surveys from the May 1^st training, make any adjustments needs to the guide, then test the new version by hosting a day of training in Kansas City in a few months. The Missouri Governor’s Challenge state team’s goal is to make the Faith Community Training Guide available for use before the end of 2025.

About the Missouri Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF). The state team is part of a national initiative created in partnership between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Governor’s Challenge is a call to action, asking federal, state, and community interagency teams to embark on a process of collaborating, planning, and implementing suicide prevention best practices and policies for SMVF state-wide. Learn more about the Missouri Governor’s Challenge state team at www.mogovchallenge.org

A special thank you to American Legion Post 5 in Jefferson City, for the use of your venue to host the day of training. Your Chef provided a fantastic lunch meal. Thank you – HOAH!

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As the Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) overseeing the Ozark Center’s Veteran Integration Program (VIP) since 2018, Roger has profoundly impacted the lives of countless veterans across Southwest Missouri. He created a comprehensive directory of veteran resources and has acted as a liaison between community organizations and state agencies to address healthcare, housing and employment needs. His ability to empathize with veterans’ reluctance to seek help, shaped by his own experiences, allows him to effectively break down barriers to recovery and foster trust within the community. In addition to his community-level work, Roger has represented veterans’ interests on state and national platforms — from lobbying with Missouri legislators to traveling to Washington, D.C. to advocate for veteran policies. His media appearances on television and radio, including discussions on PTSD, suicide prevention and stigma reduction have educated the public and amplified the voices of veterans. 

Through all his efforts, Roger demonstrates a unique combination of competence, humility and authenticity. By openly sharing his own mental health journey, he provides hope and encouragement to those facing similar struggles. His tireless work ensures that veterans feel seen, supported and empowered to pursue recovery. Roger’s contributions have not only transformed the lives of individual veterans but have also strengthened the broader mental health and support networks across Missouri.

If you’re interested in more information about Ozark Center’s VIP program, here is a link: https://freemanhealth.com/ozarkcenter/specialty/services-for-veterans

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Article by Taylor Brooks, KOMU 8 Reporter
 

JEFFERSON CITY — The Healing Box Project gifts veterans in mid-Missouri guitars and biweekly lessons to help heal the trauma stemming from their time serving in the military. 

Founded by Dave and CJ Dunklee, the project has been continuing its pursuit of helping every veteran that comes its way.

Seven of every 100 veterans deal with some form of PTSD, according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

The project’s inspiration came after the couple saw the Wounded Warrior Project on television.

“We noticed that they didn’t have anything to do with music,” Dave Dunklee said. “We went to Fort Leonard Wood and said, ‘We would like to teach veterans that are coming back from combat how to play the guitar.”

Their idea became a reality. The couple now hosts biweekly sessions led by Dave Dunklee at the DAV in Jefferson City. 

“We have given over 500 guitars away,” Dunklee said. “We’ve worked with over 600 veterans and their families.”

Read the full article https://www.komu.com/news/midmissourinews/the-healing-box-project-gifts-guitars-and-lessons-to-mid-missouri-veterans/article_3ab6cacb-ae96-4e52-beaf-74b2040ee244.html

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During the second half of the show, the two are joined by Troy Williams, Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Officer. The discussion moves into how service officers experience Veterans at risk of suicide and how applying for VA benefits can help reduce barriers to care.

Listen to the entire podcast, scroll down to the show dated 3/22/25. https://kwos.com/open-air-saturday-on-demand/

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Impact of Suicide on SMVF:

The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Data Report indicates that suicide was the 12th-leading cause of death for Veterans in 2022. In the same year, suicide was the 2^nd-leading cause of death for Veterans under the age of 45. Additionally, the Missouri Veteran suicide rate was significantly higher than the national Veteran suicide rate. The data informs people about the severity of the issue but what is frequently missing from these stories is hope.

The Role of Hope in Suicide Prevention:

Hope serves an important role in suicide prevention. It can give people strength to keep going, even when life is at its darkest. Beyond The Uniform was created to provide hope by sharing news and information on Missouri’s efforts to help prevent suicide among SMVF. The Missouri Governor’s Challenge state team is asking for articles from Missourians and organizations across the state to highlight these activities.

Community Involvement in Suicide Prevention:

There are many individuals and organizations across the state working on preventing suicide in the military community. It is important to highlight these activities as a way to show hope. Every Missourian plays a role in preventing suicide and can make a difference. It is time to let everyone see the work being done to save Missouri lives.

Submission Guidelines:

If you or your organization has a suicide prevention event scheduled or recently completed, specifically for SMVF, please share it with us. Send an image and a short write-up to info@mogovchallenge.com. Submissions that include raising funds or do not specifically address preventing suicide in the military community will not be accepted.

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All branches of Daniel Boone Regional Library now offer free gun locks — no questions asked, no library card required. The locks can be requested at the front desk of each branch. Read the full article https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/library-gun-lock-distribution-takes-aim-at-veteran-suicide/article_8298a112-fc48-11ef-bd72-27c0139bd0a1.html

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To assist faith leaders and their staff with supporting someone in crisis, the Missouri Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF) is hosting a day of training.

The training event will enhance the participants understanding of the military culture, receive suicide prevention training, learn how to talk about lethal means safety, and connect with resources in their local community.

The training and skills provided at this event can be applied to all members of their congregation, not just service members, Veterans, and their families.

Registration is now open thru 18 April, seating is limited. To register contact Jon Sabala:

email Jon.Sabala@dmh.mo.gov or call (573) 751-2368.

The post Faith Community Training first appeared on Missouri's Govenors Challenge Portal.

To learn more, visit Missouri Buddy Check 22 Day.

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The American Legion Post in Farmington, Missouri, is focused on addressing the issues facing service members, Veterans, and their families. On this day, they invited people to learn about suicide prevention. To do this, a post member reached out to a trainer from the Missouri Veterans Suicide Prevention Team (MOVSPT).

MOVSPT is a volunteer network of certified suicide prevention trainers. The team is made up of service members, veterans, military-connected family members. They provide in person, Question, Persuade Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper training at no cost. QPR is a nationally recognized course, proven to help prevent suicide.

Attendees learned to recognize the warning signs and clues that someone may be at risk of suicide, how to talk with someone at risk, and connect them to help. Because of Legion Post 416’s willingness to host this training, 10 more “QPR Rescuers” are ready recognize someone at risk of suicide and offer hope.

If your organization is ready to host suicide prevention training, contact a trainer today.

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