Headstrong

Help ยท Mental ยท Nonprofit

Serves: Nationwide

Free mental health treatment for post-9/11 veterans, including individual therapy and medication management with no copays.

Origin & mission

Marine Corps veteran Zach Iscol founded Headstrong in 2012 after recognizing that post-9/11 veterans were falling through the cracks of a mental health system with long wait times, high copays, and providers unfamiliar with military culture. Headstrong's model: completely eliminate all financial and administrative barriers to care. No copays, no insurance required, no waitlists, free medication management. The only requirement is a commitment to treatment.

Impact & scale

  • 5,000+ veterans treated
  • Free โ€” no copays, no insurance required
  • Licensed clinicians with military cultural competency
  • Available in major metros + telehealth nationally

Who they serve

Programs & application info

  • Mental Health Treatment

    ๐Ÿ“… Ongoing โ€” no cohort structureDeadline: Apply anytimeโฑ Ongoingin-person & telehealth

    Eligible: Post-9/11 combat veterans

    Free individual therapy and medication management. No copays, no waitlist goals. Served by licensed clinicians in major metro areas and via telehealth.

    Apply / learn more

Eligibility

Discharge
Any
Service era
post-9/11
Minimum service
combat service

Practical detail

Cost
free
How to access
open
Who they serve
veterans

Accountability

Program expense ratio
89% Share of spending that reaches programs rather than overhead.

In the news & key resources