On July 29-30, 2025, the state team explored ways to bring new suicide prevention strategies to Missouri. The team examined current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to suicide prevention efforts for Missouri’s Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF).
After pitching several ideas, the team decided to focus on military-connected families for the theme of 2026. The state team will spend the next few months finalizing plans, ensuring they have feasible steps that can make a positive change in preventing suicide.
The state team has representatives from the Office of the Governor, Missouri Department of Mental Health, Missouri Veterans Commission, Safer Homes Collaborative, Missouri AgrAbility, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 15, American Legion Department of Missouri, Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, Compass Health Network, Missouri Behavioral Health Council, Office of State Courts Administrator, Missouri National Guard, Missouri Department of Corrections, University of Missouri-St. Louis Missouri Institute of Mental Health, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Missouri Primary Care Association, and Higginsville Habilitation Center.
A heartfelt “thank you” to the assistance of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency’s (SAMHSA’s) Technical Assistance (TA) Center staff, Angela and Deann, who provided technical support for this event.
Together, we can all help prevent suicide.
