Kara Miller of the Taney County Health Department and Mac McAllister of the Veterans of the Ozarks Outreach appeared on the “At Your Service” Podcast to discuss resources available to help those that may be thinking of ending their own lives. McAllister mentioned that the next QPR Training through his group will be on October 26 at 6:30 pm at the Kimberling City Elks Lodge.
The complete podcast recording can be heard on the Branson Podcast Network while the information below is from a release by the Taney County Health Department.
Suicide remains a significant public health concern in Missouri and Taney County. According to the 2026 Missouri Student Survey, approximately 1 in 8 Taney County students – about 203 students – have seriously considered suicide in the past year.
“Suicide prevention is something the entire community can be a part of,” said Kara Miller, Health Educator with the Taney County Health Department. “We don’t have to be mental health professionals to make a difference. We can learn how to recognize when someone may be struggling, ask the difficult questions, listen without judgement, and connect people with life-saving help.”
The Taney County Health Department provides Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training at no cost to participants. This training helps community members recognize warning signs and respond when someone may be experiencing a suicidal crisis. Since the program began, the Health Department has trained more than 1,700 youth and adults in suicide prevention.
In addition to QPR, Taney County residents interested in helping to bring down the suicide rate can participate with the Taney County Suicide Prevention Network. The Taney County Suicide Prevention Network (TCSPN) is a coalition of local organizations, community partners, and citizens working together to raise awareness about suicide prevention and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.
Community members and organizations interested in learning more or becoming involved in local suicide prevention efforts are encouraged to attend a TCSPN meeting. Meetings are held on the last Monday of each month at the Taney County Health Department’s Branson office. Everyone is welcome.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. To learn more about suicide prevention or schedule QPR training for your organization, contact the Taney County Health Department at 417-334-4544, ext. 594.
For more information contact the Taney County Health Department at 417-334-4544, visit our website at taneyhealth.gov, or like our Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X page.
