From May 21 – May 25, 2023, Suffolk County Correction Officer Jeffrey Benaim completed five marathons in five days in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Correction Officer Benaim ran a complete 26.2-mile marathon each day in each of NYC’s five boroughs for a total of 131 miles in five consecutive days. He was specifically calling attention to the mental health needs of law enforcement officers and those in the military. Correction Officer Benaim then followed that up with a half-marathon in Suffolk County to bring his total to 144 miles for the week.
Correction Officer Benaim completed this extraordinary journey in order to raise money as part of his non-profit organization, Project Patriot 22. Project Patriot 22’s mission is to raise suicide and mental health awareness and teach the mental health benefits of physical fitness. All money raised was donated to Reps for Responders, an organization who shares a similar mission to Project Patriot 22. Their mission is to “improve the physical and emotional survivability skills of first responders so that they can make responsible decisions both on the job and in their personal lives.”
Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr. commends Correction Officer Benaim for his commitment to this vital cause. “Jeff is a role-model for all members of law enforcement. His dedication to complete this ultimate test of physical fitness and determination shows everyone in uniform that they can survive even the toughest battles. I thank him for bringing attention to the mental health of first responders.”
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the US since 1949. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness about mental health and help fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support millions of people in the US affected by mental illness.
NAMI also reports that law enforcement officers face higher rates of depression, substance abuse, burnout, PTSD, and anxiety than the general public. Statistically, more police officers die by suicide than they do in the line of duty.