Headstrong Project's 3rd Annual Words of War Event

Event's proceeds will provide world class, effective, cost- and bureaucracy-free mental healthcare to post-9/11 combat veterans suffering from the hidden wounds of war.

Seth Meyers, John Turturro, Amy Ryan, Bryan Doerries & Veterans to Perform "Theater of War"

News provided by

The Headstrong Project

Oct 07, 2015, 08:00 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Headstrong Project, a 3 year-old non-profit partner of Weill Cornell Medical Center that provides individually tailored, cost free, state of the art mental healthcare to treat veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, military sexual trauma, and risk for suicide, is holding its 3^rd Annual Words of War Event at 1 World Trade Center on Monday, October 19^th, 2015. Benefit co-chairs include Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky; Adam Driver and Joanne Tucker; Tamara and Al Rabil; Meredith Melling and founder Zach Iscol, in partnership with Title Sponsor Kayne Anderson, MB Real Estate and Weill Cornell Medical College. Featuring appearances by Late Night host, Seth Meyers, Emmy Award Winner John Turturro, and Academy Award Nominee Amy Ryan, the program will include a performance of Sophocles Ajax by Theater of War.

"Words of War is a vital fundraiser for the Headstrong Project," says Founder and Executive Director, Zachary (Zach) Iscol, a decorated former Marine officer and Iraq veteran. "As a combat veteran of two Iraq tours, I understand the issues soldiers can face upon return to a non-combat zone. Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) can manifest in a large variety of ways and the numbers of those suffering are staggering. The VA estimates we lose 22 veterans a day to suicide and the Department of Defense has reported 30-50 active duty troops take their lives every month. Our program is committed to providing free access to world-class clinicians to ensure effective individual treatment and long-term success. It is an ambitious goal, but with consistent support and growth strategy, an achievable one," states Iscol.

More than 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans report symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS). It is the Headstrong Project's mission, in partnership and close collaboration with Weill Cornell Medical College, one of the nation's leading mental health care centers, and its leading psychiatric and public health expert, Dr. Ann Beeder, and Gerard Ilaria, Program Director at Weill Cornell Medical College, to create a long-term program with comprehensive treatment for veterans in need and provide it at no cost for veterans and their family members. The team at Weill Cornell has developed an effective, long-term treatment strategy that is completely tailored to the individual. Engaging a strong cast of Board Members, the Headstrong Project has been able to provide completely free treatment with world-class clinicians to over 100 veterans. Plans to expand the effective program to more states is one of the goals of the October 19^th fundraiser.

The treatment utilizes the three platforms of trauma therapy: stabilization, memory processing, and reintegration. It can include a variety of evidence-based treatments such as EMDR as well as group and couples counseling, alcohol and substance abuse counseling, costing the Headstrong Project approximately $5,000 to $10,000 per patient. With the largest percentage of veteran enrollment coming through patient referrals, the Headstrong Project has seen enormous success in just three short years.

Services are currently provided at three locations in Manhattan and multiple locations in Southern California, with planned expansion to additional key cities across the U.S. later this year.

For more information about The Headstrong Project and to donate to the cause, please visit www.getheadstrong.org. For media inquiries about the Words of War Benefit on October 19^th, please contact The Bromley Group at [email protected].

About Headstrong Project:

Headstrong Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide cost free, stigma free, and bureaucracy free mental healthcare to post-911, Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans. Under the leadership of Executive Director Zachary Iscol, a combat decorated former Marine officer and Iraq veteran of the Battle of Fallujah, and Dr. Ann Beeder, a leading psychiatric and public health expert, the Headstrong Project launched in 2012 with individually tailored treatment plans that range from individual, group and couple's counseling, as well as individual and group alcohol and substance abuse counseling to mind-body modalities. A collaboration between care providers and the veteran seeking help, veterans who have successfully completed treatment are part of the team, advising on veteran engagement, acting as peer navigators and advocates, and taking part in long term strategy development. Services are currently provided at 3 locations in Manhattan and multiple locations in Southern California, with planned expansion to additional key cities across the U.S. later this year. For more information about Headstrong Project, please visit www.getheadstrong.org.