named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Confidential Telehealth Therapy
Provides free, confidential mental health counseling to veterans and active-duty service members via telehealth, covering the cost of care to remove financial barriers.
Still Siblings: The Unbreakable Bond
Peer-run online support group for adults aged 18+ who have lost a sibling to suicide, offering monthly virtual meetings and community connection.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Mental Health Education and Awareness 3 activities
- Advocate for military mental health awareness and reformConducts advocacy campaigns and media outreach, including radio interviews and public discussions, focused on improving mental health support in the military, inspired by the death of Navy Airman Macoy Hicks.
- Deliver mental health workshops and educational presentationsConducts workshops and presentations at events, conferences, and meetings focused on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and resilience-building techniques for active-duty and veteran service members.
- Run mental health awareness campaigns for military communitiesImplements outreach campaigns aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues among active-duty and veteran service members, promoting access to care and reducing stigma.
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Veteran Benefits and Reintegration Support 2 activities
- Provide mental health support for veterans transitioning to civilian lifeOffers targeted mental health services and support programs to assist veterans in navigating the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life.
- Provide telehealth mental health therapy to service members and veteransOffers telehealth therapy services to active-duty military members, veterans, and military family members, covering the cost of care for those in crisis. This includes sponsored therapy sessions and direct provision of mental health treatment.
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Veteran Support Grantmaking 1 activity
- Award grants to surviving military siblingsFunds the Sienna's Gold Star Sibling Grant, which provides financial support to surviving siblings of deceased military service members regardless of cause of death.
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Grief Support Groups and Counseling 1 activity
- Facilitate peer support groups for military-affected individualsHosts monthly peer support group meetings via Google Meet for adults aged 18 and over who have lost a sibling to suicide, providing a structured space for emotional support and connection.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Provide therapeutic art programming through Hug MugsOffers a therapeutic art experience by facilitating hand-painting of Hug Mugs, which are then distributed to service members as symbolic gestures of gratitude, emotional support, and comfort.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$151K
Contributions & grants$140K93%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$138K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$54K
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$54K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$34K
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -24.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL HICKS | PRESIDENT | 40 | $54K |
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Faith-based groups Partner — Partners with faith-based groups to facilitate outreach programs that connect individuals struggling with mental health.
- Jolee Hicks Partner — Family member and co-founder involved in providing mental health support through the organization.
- Michael Hicks Partner — Family member and co-founder involved in providing mental health support through the organization.
- MyGivingCircle.org Partner — Platform where supporters can vote to direct funding to HicksStrong Inc.
- Schools Partner — Collaborates with schools to implement mental health awareness programs and integrate mental health education into curricula.
- Still Siblings; The Unbreakable Bond Partner — Collaborative online support group co-created with a fellow sibling survivor to support siblings grieving suicide loss, regardless of military connection.
- WPDH 101.5 Partner — Collaborated with the Boris and Robyn Show on WPDH 101.5 to discuss the mission and impact of HicksStrong Inc.
- www.awildridecalledlife.com Partner — Shares a resource link to a website run by a retired Army Veteran focused on mental health and suicide prevention.
- www.theleftoverpieces.com Partner — Shares a resource link to a podcast and online community for parents grieving the suicide loss of a child.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Leadership Empowerment to Improve Support-Seekingmethodology: leadership_empowermentBy equipping leaders to recognize signs of mental health struggles and intervene effectively, the organization improves early support-seeking behavior, because trusted leaders act as accessible entry points to care within military communities.
- Peer-Run Support Based on Lived Experiencemethodology: peer_supportBy using a peer-run support model where individuals with shared lived experience (e.g., sibling suicide loss) provide mutual support, the organization fosters deeper understanding and healing, because shared trauma increases trust and reduces isolation.
- Stigma Reduction Through Dialogue and Framingmethodology: stigma_reduction_through_dialogueBy reframing mental health needs as "invisible wounds of service" and fostering open dialogue, the organization reduces stigma around help-seeking, based on the belief that normalized conversation empowers individuals to access care.
- Telehealth Access with Financial Coveragemethodology: telehealth_access_with_financial_coverageBy providing telehealth-based mental health therapy and covering the cost of care, the organization increases accessibility and confidentiality for veterans and active-duty service members, thereby reducing financial and logistical barriers to treatment engagement.
- Therapeutic Art for Emotional Healingmethodology: healing_through_artBy engaging individuals in art-based therapy—specifically hand-painting mugs—the organization supports emotional healing and builds connection, because creative expression helps process trauma and reduce anxiety in a nonverbal, accessible way.