Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation Thursday to make preventing veteran suicide a top priority for the state agency that aids these residents, the Missouri Veterans Commission. 

The suicide rate among Missouri’s veterans is nearly double the state rate and one of the highest in the country.

After three years of trying, Republican state Rep. Dave Griffith of Jefferson City said he was grateful for the governor’s support, along with the unanimous approval of both the House and Senate this spring. 

“I’m hoping that through House Bill 1495 we’re going to be able to take a deeper dive into what some of the causes are and some of the best practices we can learn from other states,” Griffith told the Independent this week.

The bill mandates the commission research procedures, treatment options and any other assistance to reduce the veteran suicide rate.

“The legislation we are signing today continues our commitment to our nation’s heroes that Missouri will remain one of the best places for veterans and service members to live, work, and raise a family,” Parson said in a news release.

In separate budget bills, lawmakers approved $120,000 for the commission to hire one or more people dedicated to the mission. 

Griffith said he spoke with retired Col. Paul Kirchhoff, the commission’s executive director, about next steps this week.

“He said, ‘We’re ready,’” Griffith said of Kirchhoff. “‘As soon as the governor signs the bill, we’ve got applications already on file for people who want to apply for that particular job.’”

Up until now, Griffith said the commission has implemented “as much as they can” to address the issue, while juggling their main duties.

The commission has long had three core missions of managing the veterans’ nursing homes and cemeteries and providing service officers who help veterans with their benefits, Griffith said.

The bill would add a fourth. 

“They really couldn’t devote as much time as they can now,” he said, “so creating that fourth priority for them will allow them to do that. It’s a good day for all veterans in Missouri.”

According to the legislation, the commission must file a report every year on July 1 with the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly on the recommendations and implementation of its efforts. 

In 2021, Parson established an interagency team to collaborate on suicide prevention, so Griffith said he expected to receive the governor’s full support on the measure.

Kirchhoff told the House Veterans Commission in January that he embraces the new task, particularly because he’s lost several close military friends to suicide.

“This is near and dear to my heart,” Kirchhoff said. “We’re losing veterans every day to this. And whatever we can do to curb that, we’re all in.”

Many people can guess, he said, the reason Missouri has a higher rate than the national average. 

“But I’d like to know through facts,” he said. “And without having an emphasis on this, we just won’t know.”