Heal the Hero Foundation and two other programs that support the mental health and well-being of veterans and first responders will receive more than $26 million in state funding.

Gov. Doug Ducey announced the recipients Dec. 21.

“In Arizona, we work every day to give back to our selfless veterans and first responders who have given us so much,” he said.

“We’ve removed barriers for these brave men and women to succeed while increasing options available to care for their well-being. These investments build upon our actions to connect veterans and first responders with mental health services.”

The money will help:

Heal the Hero Foundation: $20 million to support its work to mitigate the mental health issues facing first responders and expand its programs to more than 8,000 first responders. The funding brings the total investment this year to $40 million. Heal the Hero Foundation offers technology-based mental health support—along with community education, research and training - for veterans, first responders and abuse survivors.

“Arizona's communities rely on first responders in their worst moments, and our programs help Arizona’s first responders be their best in those moments,” said Joe Holmes, CEO of Heal the Hero Foundation, which is based in Scottsdale.

“We are grateful to Governor Ducey for this incredible investment in the wellbeing of our first responders.”

Boulder Crest Foundation: $1.8 million to expand the nonprofit’s programs that help first responders with post-traumatic stress, as well as operations and outreach work. The funding will support the expansion of the "Struggle Well" training program and the nonprofit’s post-traumatic growth academy. 

“We know our veterans and first responders are heroes, but it doesn’t make them superhuman,” said Ken Falke, founder and chairman of Boulder Crest Foundation. “They are often confronted with mental health challenges when they return from service.”

Unite Us: $4.7 million to support the organization’s work to assist vulnerable veterans, including reducing recidivism among incarcerated veterans. Unite Us will work with the Arizona Department of Veteran Services, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry and the Department of Economic Security.

“We’re proud to contribute to Arizona’s ecosystem of support to veterans and their families,” Taylor Justice, co-founder and president of Unite Us. “Thank you to Governor Ducey for his leadership in reducing recidivism and making Arizona a veteran-friendly state.”