30-01-2025
Medical Focus: Veteran suicide
JOPLIN, Mo. — Veteran suicide is under the microscope in Missouri, with trends showing the state is higher than both the national veteran suicide rate and the national suicide rate overall.
'We've worked on suicide. One is too many in our eyes, definitely mine as a veteran, but the state as a whole, state of Missouri, is working more and more to lower this number. Yes, we would ideally get to zero. That's our main goal,' said Roger Koch, Ozark Center, Vet Integration Program military liaison.
And Koch points out that there is help for veterans who need it.
'Counseling is the big piece here. But that can vary in a lot of different ways. Sometimes counseling for some veterans is just having another person to talk with, just to open up, get with groups. As I said, the integration is a big thing. So getting them integrated, understanding they're not out there by themselves, that there are other veterans.'
Koch works with the Veteran Integration Program through Freeman Health System and Ozark Center.
'I tell most veterans talk if you want to talk, but you can just listen. We aren't going to push anyone to do anything. We just would like for veterans to open up, to reach out, ask for help, and then the hardest part, accept the help, because we are here for them,' said Koch.
He points to that feeling of isolation that plagues many vets.
'That's the farthest from the truth. Believe it or not, there are veterans all around. And even if you're not a veteran, just someone that has a heart for a veteran, I encourage them to reach out, just to be there as a listening ear.'
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