The number of U.S. Army Alaska soldiers who died by suicide increased sharply in 2021 even after the military invested millions of dollars to address an identified mental health crisis at the state’s two major bases.
At least 11 soldiers stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwrightdied by suicide last year. Six more deaths are being investigated as possible suicides.
Top military officials say finding solutions to the worsening problem continues to be a top priority — and that the pandemic seems to have exacerbated existing risk factors.