Project Odyssey

Empowers veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds to push beyond their known limits and develop skills to discover their best selves

Project Odyssey^® is a no-cost 12-week mental health program for veterans that uses adventure-based learning to help warriors with PTSD, anxiety, and depression manage and overcome their invisible wounds, enhance their resiliency skills, and empower them to live productive and fulfilling lives. Project Odyssey is based on the veteran’s unique needs, in which warriors can participate in all-male, all-female, coed, family, or couple’s programs.

The program includes a five-day mental health retreat in a workshop-style format. This is where warriors living with PTSD and other invisible wounds are challenged to step outside the comfort of their everyday routines. The retreat opens them up to new experiences that help them develop their coping and communication skills. After the mental health retreat, participants work together with WWP to continue developing the skills they have learned, achieving their personal goals, and making lifelong positive changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mental Health Resources

Contact the WWP Resource Center

Join WWP

Learn More About Project Odyssey

Hear from warriors about how Project Odyssey changed their lives for the better and empowered them to make lifelong positive changes

Program Overview

A Couple’s Story

All-Female Project Odyssey

Program Benefits

Project Odyssey is provided at no cost to the warrior or family member — this includes all travel, food and lodging. In addition, the program offers:

Support provided by fellow veteran attendees, peer mentors, WWP teammates, and licensed clinicians
The opportunity to develop coping, communication, and resiliency skills
Improve confidence, increase self-esteem, and enrich relationships
Develop practical goals for better self-care and psychological well-being
All Project Odyssey types are offered in a virtual format

Adventure-Based Activities

Hiking
Mountain Biking
Rock Climbing
Skiing
Rafting
Snowboarding
And so much more

Other Mental Health Programs, Services, and Resources

Wounded warrior Isaac Malone walking with his wife, Jenna, and their family in the woods with their dog.

Warrior Care Network

WWP partners with four world-renowned academic medical centers to offer a 2-week veteran specialized mental health treatment program led by healthcare professionals to help veterans with PTSD, TBI, MST, and other mental health issues.

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WWP Talk

We offer a free, one-on-one, telephonic mental health support line that connects veterans and family members to a dedicated team member who helps them work through various issues. The scheduled weekly calls provide a judgment-free place to get reliable emotional support.

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A group of five veterans, wounded warriors Jason Major, Pele Hunkin, Ray Andalio, Sam Hargrove, and Philip Krabbe and his black Labrador service dog pose for a picture at a waterfront with several boats in the background.

Additional Resources

Navigating TBI, PTSD, and other invisible wounds can be challenging. Learn more about resources available to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Project Odyssey starts with a five-day mental health workshop using nature as a backdrop which allows you to take a step back from everyday routines. During your participation with your fellow warriors, you build resilience, develop coping skills, and achieve goals that will improve your quality of life. Many who participate in the program also develop improved relationships with friends and loved ones.

If you are not currently registered with WWP please visit our registration page for details about who is eligible to register with WWP and how to get started. WWP supports veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound while serving in the military on or after September 11, 2001. You may also be eligible for the program if you are the family member or caregiver of a wounded warrior.

Project Odyssey is one of a variety of veteran programs and services to help you take the steps that are right for you, including programs for physical and mental wellness, career transition, and support in obtaining benefits for disabled veterans from Veterans Affairs (VA).

Project Odyssey is available to warriors who have experienced significant stress during their military service. It’s most appropriate for those who are not experiencing a crisis and ready to discuss emotional issues and set goals leading to improved mental health. We facilitate all male, all female and couples (warrior and their significant other) Project Odyssey programs.

Project Odyssey is a twelve (12) week program which begins with a weeklong mental health workshop. The tools, skills, and bonds you gain through the workshop will be enhanced over the 12 weeks following the workshop.

Yes. Project Odyssey provides non-clinical support and isn’t meant to take the place of any clinical treatment or counseling you may be receiving.

No. Project Odyssey is a non-clinical service, so there is nothing we provide that would increase your disability rating with the VA.

Yes. Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) offers a wide range of programs that focus on the mental health & wellness needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers. We also maintain a database of verified third-party resources we can refer to for further support.

No. We do not share information with VA offices or other entities outside WWP.

News And Articles About Veterans Like You

Wounded warrior Sidney Brandy and his wife participating in an activity during a couples Project Odyssey.

Warrior and Spouse Vow Peace, Protection, and Prosperity During Couples Project Odyssey

Sidney Brady and his wife, Elizabeth, are no strangers to the stresses of marriage and raising a family. Adding another level of complexity, Sidney copes with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from his deployment during Operation Enduring Freedom. Returning home, Sidney registered with Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) to get involved with Project Odyssey^®, a program that helps with combat stress.

Read article

Wounded warrior Donna Zephrine standing in front of a scenic overlook.

Discovering Hidden Strength Among Female Warriors

Donna describes her anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a constant cycle of difficult thoughts and nightmares due to frequent gunfire, rocket grenade attacks, and the difficulty of being one of very few women in her unit. This was common until Donna attended an all-female Project Odyssey^® as part of the Combat Stress Recovery Program at Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP).

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Wounded warrior Yolanda Poullard looking out over the waterfront.

During PTSD Awareness Month, Wounded Warrior Project Reminds Veterans Mental Health Support is Available

Barriers to care delay treatment for veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For wounded veterans, stigma can be one of the biggest barriers they face. According to the Annual Warrior Survey conducted by Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), nearly 1 in 5 warriors reported difficulty or delays getting or continuing professional care for their mental health. Of those warriors, 2 in 3 say they would feel embarrassed or ashamed to seek care.

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Empowers veterans living with PTSD and other invisible wounds to push beyond their known limits and develop skills to discover their best selves