The Army is calling its new approach to combat service member suicide in Alaska “Mission 100.”

“Mission 100 is a campaign to connect with 100% of our soldiers – leaders connected with the soldiers and soldiers connected with each other,” Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commander of U.S. Army Alaska, told reporters Friday in a call from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. “Leaders contact 100% of our soldiers’ spouses or next of kin; 100% of our soldiers will get a wellness check from behavioral health or the military family life counselors,” Eifler said, according to Stars and Stripes.

The state has the highest rate of suicide among service members. Seven soldiers died by suicide there in 2020. Last year the number was 11, with six other soldier deaths still under investigation.

“This is a wicked problem,” Eifler said.

Army photo by John Pennell