Be sure to add the email address ‘operations@heroicheartsproject.org’ to your contacts list to ensure you get the most updated notifications about our Application and Enrollment process.
WHERE ARE YOUR RETREATS LOCATED?
All of our retreat programs are held in partnership with retreat centers in places where plant medicine is legal. The majority of our retreats are held in Peru, Mexico, and Jamaica, and the majority of approved veteran applicants will be eligible for our International Retreat Program.
That said, we do offer psilocybin retreats in states where psychedelic treatment is legal (e.g. Oregon). Currently, only veterans and veteran spouses who live in-state are eligible with these retreats, because the programs include in-person support and follow up.
ONCE I’VE DECIDED THIS PROGRAM IS FOR ME, HOW DO I SIGN UP?
The first step is to apply HERE for the program. Please provide as much detail as possible in your application – this is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are ready to undergo this process. Applications that are rushed, incomplete, or do not fully articulate why plant medicine would help you will be returned. The more information you provide, the better we will be able to determine whether our programs are a fit for you. Once your application is approved, you’ll be eligible for a retreat program. All eligible veterans are invited quarterly (4x per year) to request to enroll for a retreat during an Open Enrollment Period. Details about available retreats and what to do to enroll will be sent to all eligible veterans.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM THE APPLICATION PROCESS OVERALL
When applying for a retreat or emailing our applications team, you can expect roughly a two-week response. All veterans are asked to first apply, then wait for an Open Enrollment Period (4x per year), request to enroll, and finally, become a participant.
The process itself includes:
- Initial Application approval, then await Quarterly Open Enrollment
- During an Open Enrollment Period, submit an Enrollment Request Form with preferred retreats
- If selected to enroll, schedule & conduct video Intake Call
- If the veteran meets Video Intake Call requirements, a Medical Screening is required for final approval
- Final Enrollment Process: sign legal documents & submit financial contribution
HOW DO I REQUEST TO ENROLL FOR A RETREAT ONCE MY APPLICATION IS APPROVED?
We use a rolling enrollment process for our international retreats. Each quarter (approx every 3 months), we invite all eligible veterans to request to enroll; we call this an Open Enrollment Period. An announcement will be sent out to all eligible veterans one week prior to the Open Enrollment Period, containing information about the upcoming available retreats, giving eligible veterans a chance to make determine which retreats would work best for their lives, needs, and schedules.
Those interested in attending a retreat program during the available quarter are asked to complete an Enrollment Request Form, which verifies some application information and gathers more details regarding travel readiness. You must have an active passport with more than 9 months of validity beyond the enrollment period. On the Enrollment Request Form, you can select your top three retreat program choices. We do our best to honor each veteran’s choices, but there are no guarantees.
If you are eligible for a domestic retreat due to your location, you may receive separate information about eligibility and enrollment for a retreat in your area.
IF I SUBMIT AN ENROLLMENT REQUEST FORM, AM I AUTOMATICALLY ENROLLED FOR A RETREAT?
No. The number of veterans who are interested in attending a retreat far exceeds the available retreat slots we offer each quarter. Once you submit an Enrollment Request Form, please wait 2-3 weeks to see if you are invited for the next enrollment steps (i.e. Intake Call, Medical Screening, and Final Enrollment). If you are not selected for a retreat, you’ll be able to request to enroll again the following quarter.
WHAT FACTORS DO YOU USE TO APPROVE CANDIDATES AND SELECT APPLICANTS FOR SPECIFIC RETREATS?
Due to the high volume of applications, we work primarily with veterans who can trace a major part of their trauma to their time in service (combat trauma or Military Sexual Trauma).
We also look for veterans who have already put effort towards other healing modalities such as therapy, coaching, mindfulness, etc. Motivation to “do the work” and take ownership of your healing process are crucial in order for psychedelic programs to be successful.
Applicants on antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications must be able to work with a their trained medical professional to wean off of these substances 4-6 weeks before the retreat date. Some SSRIs may require an 8 week tapering schedule. We do not provide medical advice and require that you work with your medical provider to determine whether weaning off of medication is appropriate for you.
We take several factors into account when selecting those who have requested to enroll for specific retreats:
- Retreat-specific eligibility criteria (for example, select retreats may focus on a specific issue such as Traumatic Brain Injury, or be designated for a specific group, such as female veterans)
- The needs of each veteran in question
- Timeliness of enrollee response to Open Enrollment (the sooner the better)
- Willingness to commit to the interpersonal work required through our program’s preparation and integration: attend all coaching calls, adhere to the preparation diet requirements, show up authentically
- Amount of time each veteran has been eligible
- Veteran’s ability to cover at least $500, the minimum financial contribution
- Current and active passport with at least 9 months viability at enrollment
**Please note, if you’re able to cover all of your expenses, we may be able to fast-track your application**.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE INTAKE CALL?
Veterans who are selected for this step will be sent an email requesting to schedule a video intake call. It’s best to schedule this video intake call as soon as possible in order to progress enrollment for the retreat programs you’d prefer. Video Intake Calls are held through Zoom, and it’s expected that you’re on camera; be sure to check your email for this link and save it to your calendars. During this call, you can expect to discuss your intentions for seeking a psychedelic retreat program. Intake calls offer us an opportunity to get to know you better and ensure you would be a good fit for one of our programs.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE MEDICAL SCREENING CALL?
After you meet the Video Intake Call Requirements, a Medical Screening phone call will be conducted through the free messenger application, SIGNAL. You can expect to discuss your medical and health history with one of our trained Medical Screeners, who help us determine if it is safe for you to attend a retreat program. HHP Medical Screeners are advisors to HHP and do not give medical advice. Any changes to a participant’s lifestyle or medications must be done under the supervision of their prescribing physician.
DO YOU ACCEPT NON U.S VETERANS OR VETERANS LIVING ABROAD?
Yes, we do accept veteran applicants from anywhere and any branch. Veterans located outside of the USA will be expected to cover any travel costs over $1000. HHP does have branches in Canada (Info@HeroicHeartsProject.ca), the United Kingdom (info@heroicheartsuk.com), and Australia (send a DM). If you are located in these countries, please reach out to our branch partners first.
WHAT WOULD MAKE ME INELIGIBLE FOR A RETREAT?
- Contraindicated heart or respiratory conditions
- Personal/family history of psychosis; Schizophrenia, DID, Bipolar Type I
- An inability to wean off of contra-indicated medications (e.g. SSRIs/SNRIs) 4-6 weeks in advance of the retreat commencing
- Recent participation in another psychedelic retreat or the intention to participate in another retreat within 4 months from the start of the HHP Retreat Program
- Unwillingness to follow the preparation diet (dieta), which includes adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, focused on whole foods, and limiting the following: red meat, dairy, processed foods, foods high in salt, sugar, oils, and saturated fats, recreational drugs (including cannabis and other psychedelics), social media, mainstream media, and sex with self or other).
- Veterans experiencing extreme crisis or suicidal thoughts may be asked to stabilize using other resources before undergoing a psychedelic program.
- Homelessness, active addiction, on parole, or in an in-patient treatment center.
IF I’M SELECTED FOR A RETREAT, WHAT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION AM I EXPECTED TO MAKE?
Our Veteran Retreat Programs, both international and domestic, cost on average $6,000 per veteran served.
The Heroic Hearts Project Grant is available to you if you cannot afford to pay your own way. Please consider the below contribution amounts. Each participant is encouraged to pay what they can, and should consider what they can afford based on their own financial picture as well as the intended impact of the HHP program they are attending. Every contribution is paid forward to support a future veteran in need of services.
$500 – This is the requested minimum contribution, and is the recommended contribution for participants experiencing financial hardship and genuinely require assistance. This may include members of equity-denied communities, those working in essential care professions (such as students, teachers, etc.) or anyone in financial distress.
$1,600 – This contribution covers the travel costs for another veteran, and is affordable for most. This tier is for those with a basic level of financial security. Please consider this amount if you have steady employment, own a car, feel comfortable eating at restaurants, etc.
$3,600 – This contribution covers the retreat and travel costs for another veteran. This tier is for those participants who have extra income or assets and feel called to support another veteran through the process. Please consider this amount if, for example, you are comfortable with leisure travel, attend festivals, and have disposable income and/or bonus assets, e.g. “toys” like boats, jet-skis, motor-cross bikes, off-road vehicles, etc.
$6,000 – This contribution covers the full program cost for another veteran: the retreat, all travel and coaching. This tier is for those who consider themselves successful in business, investments, and in life. Contributions at this level do so much to help us provide access and inclusivity in this veteran mental health community.
CAN I REMAIN ANONYMOUS?
We do work with participants who wish to remain anonymous and do not publicly share information about retreat participation or outcomes without consent. If requested, your name, likeness, and story can be kept private.
