After the suicides of fashion designer Kate Spade and “Parts Unknown” host Anthony Bourdain this week, KWWR is taking a look at suicide rates in Missouri.
According to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates in Missouri saw a 36.4 percent increase between 1999 and 2016.
The Missouri Department of Mental Health reports that white males between the ages of 45 and 59 saw the largest increase. The number jumped from 14.6 per 100 thousand people in 1999 to 25.54 in 2016.
Many of those who died never showed outward signs of mental illness.
Missouri is following a nationwide upward trend with all states, with the exception of Nevada, seeing a significant increase during that time period.
If you, or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention hotline is available 24 hours a day. The phone number is 1-800-273-8255.
Featured Events:
Making Buckets for Christmas is Caring – Paris
11/25/2025 6:00 pm – 11/25/2025 9:00 pm The Paris High School FBLA, Student Council, and Guidance Department assist the Monroe County Christmas is Caring organization in hosting “MAKING BUCKETS for Christmas is Caring” by collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations, which serve as admission fees for the Paris HS Basketball game versus Mark Twain. They…… Continue Reading
Holiday Home Tour – Mexico
12/07/2025 2:00 pm – 12/07/2025 6:00 pm Holiday Home Tour will be held on Sunday, December 7, from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm. $15 per person (Tickets NOT sold at Homes ) Tickets can be purchased at Century 21, Webber Pharmacy, Jackson Street Pharmacy or by calling Nancy at (573)721-6247 or Susan at (573)473-8241. Sponsored…… Continue Reading
Elks All You Can Eat Fish Fry – Mexico
11/21/2025 4:30 pm – 11/21/2025 7:00 pm Elks Mexico Lodge 919 All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry will be held on Friday, November 21, from 4:30 pm until 7:00 pm at the Mexico Elks Lodge. Adults $15, children (ages 6-12) $6, under 5 free. Dine in or Carry out – Serving Fried Fish, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, Baked Beans,…… Continue Reading
Auditions for Ride the Cyclone the Musical – Sedalia
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Auditions for One Man Two Guvnors -Sedalia
12/15/2025 6:00 pm – 12/17/2025 9:00 pm Auditions for the musical “One Man Two Guvnors” will be held on Monday, December 15, Tuesday, December 16, and Wednesday, December 17, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at the Liberty Center in Sedalia. Auditions consist of cold readings of the script. performance dates are Thursday, February 26,…… Continue Reading
Lincoln University Holiday Extravaganza – Jefferson City
12/02/2025 6:00 pm – 12/02/2025 8:00 pm Lincoln University Holiday Extravaganza will be held on Tuesday, December 2, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Lincoln University campus Quad in Jefferson City. The community is invited to join the Blue Tigers as we usher in the holidays at this festive gathering on LU campus.…… Continue Reading