Through my service in the United States Marine Corps, I learned what it meant to rely on the men around me — and what it meant to be relied upon. I served alongside strong, capable leaders who handled extraordinary pressure without hesitation. But I also saw what happens when strength is measured only by how well you can hide pain.
Too often, we equate silence with resilience. We believe powering through is what makes us dependable. We tell ourselves there’s no time or no room for personal struggle. However, the truth is, silence has a cost, and for too many men, that cost is life itself.
Research shows that men are far less likely to seek mental health support than women. We’ve been taught to tough it out rather than open up. We bury the hard things deeper, assuming that if we ignore them long enough, they’ll go away. At The Headstrong Project, we know that’s not how healing works.
Mental healthcare for veterans
Headstrong provides confidential, cost-free, trauma-focused mental healthcare to service members, veterans, and their families. We eliminate barriers like long wait times, complicated paperwork, and stigma. We offer evidence-based treatments like cognitive processing therapy (CPT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and prolonged exposure (PE) matched to each client’s needs.
Since our founding, we have delivered more than 222,000 therapy sessions across the country. But what matters most are the lives behind those numbers — the father who learned how to reconnect with his family, the Marine who finally found a path through his trauma, and the veteran who chose life instead of isolation.
The need has never been greater. Suicide remains a leading cause of death among male veterans. In the broader population, men account for nearly 4 out of every 5 suicides in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This is not just a veteran issue. It’s a men’s health crisis.
Making much-needed change
We have to change what it means to be strong. Real strength isn’t about hiding pain or carrying it alone. It’s about having the courage to confront it and to seek the help you deserve.
If you are struggling, know this: You are not alone. Healing is possible. It’s never too late to take the first step.
At The Headstrong Project, we stand ready to serve those who have served, and to walk alongside any man ready to fight for his own life and future.
