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:
Knights of Columbus Blood Drive – Mexico
02/17/2026 1:00 pm – 02/17/2026 6:00 pm The American Red Cross Local Hearts, National Impact Knights of Columbus Blood Drive will be held on Tuesday, February 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Mexico. Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter KOFCOFMEXICO to schedule an appointment.…… Continue Reading
St. Alphonsus Knight of Columbus Millwood Fried Chicken Dinner – Silex
02/01/2026 11:00 am – 02/01/2026 2:00 pm St. Alphonsus Knight of Columbus Millwood Fried Chicken Dinner will be held on Sunday, February 1, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Silex. Dine-in and Carry-out available Add to my calendar image/svg+xmlOutlook Calendar Google Calendar Yahoo! Calendar image/svg+xmlApple LogoiCal Calendar… Continue Reading
66th Annual Knights of Columbus Council 1270 Auction – Martinsburg
02/13/2026 5:00 pm – 02/13/2026 6:30 pm The 66th Annual Knights of Columbus Council 1270 Auction will be held on Friday, February 13, with Supper at 5:00 p.m. and the auction beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Martinsburg, serving Soup, Sandwiches, and wings. Potion of proceeds donated will go to…… Continue Reading
Third Thursday Connect – Sedalia
02/19/2026 6:00 pm – 02/19/2026 9:00 pm The Third Thursday Connect with Janice Hargrave will be held on Thursday, February 19, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Cooney Studio. Painting Mo Landscape Collage. $30 per person. Enjoy a fun night out and get creative. To enroll, visit https://libertycentersedalia.com/ Add to my calendar image/svg+xmlOutlook…… Continue Reading
Kiwanis Club Annual Pancake Breakfast – Montgomery City
01/31/2026 7:00 am – 01/31/2026 11:00 am Montgomery City Kiwanis Club Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, January 31, from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Montgomery City Senior Center. Adults $10 – Children $3 (3-10 years) Proceeds help fund numerous local activities for area youth. Add to my calendar image/svg+xmlOutlook Calendar…… Continue Reading
St. Clement Parish Drive-Thru Fried Chicken Dinner – Bowling Green
02/13/2026 4:00 pm – 02/13/2026 7:30 pm St. Clement Parish Drive-Thru Fried Chicken Dinner, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 1928 and the St. Clement Ladies of Sodality, to be held on Friday, February 13, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or while supplies last. $15 per person ( cash or check) at the…… Continue Reading