Update: Humans of New York Secures Over $550,000 In Less Than Two Weeks During Ninth Crowdfunding Campaign

Last month, crowdfunding platform Indiegogo announced Humans of New York launched its ninth fundraiser on its platform, Generosity. The organization has raised fund for various organizations and events. This time, it has teamed up with the veteran group, Headstrong to raise $100,000. Now, less than two weeks later, the campaign has successfully raised over $550,000 thanks to more than 41,000 backers.

The Headstrong Project, which was founded by former Marine captain Zachary Iscol, currently aims to provide world-class healthcare treatment for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It offers treatment with zero cost and zero bureaucracy. The only thing it asks is that veterans have the courage to seek treatment. Sharing details about the Headstrong mission, the campaign reads:

“There are nearly 2.5 million post-9/11 veterans in the United States.  The health of the entire country is impacted by the health of our veterans.  And it’s important that all veterans who need mental health treatment can easily find it.  The impact of mental health is never limited to an individual.  It affects families, communities, and society as a whole.  Regardless of politics, or your views toward the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the mental health of veterans should be the concern of every American.”

The Headstrong Project revealed the following statistics of those who have sought help:

• 92% reported less suicidal ideation
• 91% reported better relationships
• 95% reported improvements in their jobs and education
• 89% used fewer drugs and alcohol
• 78% required less or no medication for their symptoms.

It was also noted:

“Headstrong seeks to be the ‘Uber of PTSD treatment.’  It seeks to tap into the existing trauma expertise of therapists across the United States.  By outsourcing their experience in combat-related PTSD, Headstrong hopes to create a network of therapists who have the tools to treat veterans.  Headstrong then hopes to purchase the time of those therapists on behalf of veterans in every major city.  Headstrong currently operates in New York, Houston, and San Diego.  But the organization needs resources to expand nationwide.  Every donation matters, no matter how small.  So let’s help Headstrong help veterans.”