Headstrong Project

My name is Paloma, I am 21 years old, from Utah, and I am currently studying psychology. I created this fundraiser to support veteran mental health and help raise awareness about PTSD, trauma, and the importance of accessible mental health care for those who have served our country. My interest in veteran mental health began while reading The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk. The book begins by discussing trauma through the experiences of veterans, and one story in particular had a lasting impact on me. Van der Kolk describes his work as a psychiatrist at a VA and introduces a Vietnam veteran named Tom who was experiencing severe nightmares and other lasting effects from his experiences during the war. Tom was offered medication to help with his nightmares, but he was hesitant to take it. Although the nightmares were distressing, they were also connected to people and experiences that held deep personal meaning for him. He worried that losing those memories would also mean losing an important connection to those he remembered. That story gave me a deeper understanding of how complex trauma can be for veterans. PTSD is not always visible, and its effects can extend far beyond the initial traumatic experience. Veterans may struggle with nightmares, anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, intrusive memories, emotional distress, or challenges in their relationships and daily lives. Reading this story sparked my curiosity about veteran mental health, PTSD, and the human brain. As a psychology student, I am particularly interested in understanding how trauma can affect the brain and behavior, as well as learning more about the treatments and resources that can help veterans move forward. It also made me recognize the importance of addressing the stigma surrounding mental health within the veteran community. Seeking professional support should never be viewed as a weakness. Veterans can demonstrate tremendous strength and resilience while also needing support with the psychological effects of their experiences. For this reason, I chose to raise funds for The Headstrong Project, a nonprofit dedicated to providing confidential, trauma-focused mental-health treatment to veterans, service members, and military families. Headstrong works to make specialized mental health care more accessible to those experiencing PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, sleep difficulties, and other challenges. Expanding access to care is one of the main reasons I chose this organization. In 2025, Headstrong provided more than 52,000 therapy sessions to nearly 3,000 veterans, service members, and family members. Their services can reach individuals across the United States through telehealth, helping remove geographic barriers that might otherwise prevent someone from receiving care. Through this fundraiser, my goal is to contribute to that effort while also helping bring greater attention to veteran mental health. I hope to encourage conversations about PTSD, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment, and remind veterans that seeking support is a sign of strength rather than weakness. I have tremendous respect for those who have served our country, and while I cannot personally understand what it is like to serve or experience military trauma, I can use my education, curiosity, and voice to support those who have. Every donation, share, and conversation helps bring greater awareness to veteran mental health and supports efforts to make meaningful mental health resources more accessible. Thank you for supporting this cause and for standing with our veterans.