The Hidden Battles Team

Hidden Battles is a non-profit organization that strives to help preserve the healthy minds of veterans, fire fighters, police officers and first responders through treatment and counseling for depression, suicidal tendencies, and PTSD.

Our founder, Scott Hyder, is a Disabled Veteran who served 10 years in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer. In 2004, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. During his military career, he was deployed to Kosovo during the Balkans conflict, as well as Kenya and Panama for peace keeping missions.

On June 10, 2012, after not hearing from his brother Nick for a few days, Scott drove to his house only to discover the horror that Nick had taken his own life. Hyder recalls the struggle he faced in the aftermath. “I'm not sure if there is one word or one emotion to describe the feeling over this loss. I was devastated, confused, torn up, sad for Nicky, sad for his children … angry.” Scott was emotionally falling apart and eventually reached out for help.

Scott's therapy helped him to see that his brother struggled with depression and PTSD. Always appearing upbeat, happy and smiling, but inside Nick was silently fighting a demon and ultimately lost his inner battle.

Scott and his brother Nicky

After Nick’s suicide, Scott began to work with a local suicide prevention and awareness team. As a member of Team Forever Young, Scott and his teammates participated in numerous Out of The Darkness Walks sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Team Forever Young became AFSP’s national top fundraising team, raising over $250,000 to date. Scott has publicly spoken on many occasions to people of all ages about suicide, suicide prevention and awareness.

Although he finds fundraising to be a vital part in raising awareness and prevention, Scott didn’t feel it was enough, so he decided to make it his mission to help those struggling.

Scott personally feels that Veterans, Police Officers and Fire Fighters need more. “As a community of defenders, we need a common ground to speak about what is tearing apart the hearts and minds of these heroes. A place where we can speak freely with other like-minded professionals about the daily toll these professions take on our minds, our souls and our family lives.”

Hyder has personally experienced the effects of war, traumatic injury and homicide. There were times where he felt alone, like there was no place he could feel comfortable speaking about the internal turmoil. He wanted to speak with people just like him - relatable individuals who would not judge but would listen.

Also, Scott has seen the devastation left behind with the surviving families. “Suicide is not openly spoken about and many people still find shame in admitting that they lost loved ones to suicide.” Hyder started this foundation with the hopes of providing not only those individuals suffering but also their families with a safe, non-judgemental environment for healing and coping.