An Army National Guard veteran is on a mission to make others aware of mental health resources – one marathon at a time.
During Mental Health Awareness Month last May, former infantryman Jeffrey Benaim ran five marathons in five consecutive days, in each of the five New York City boroughs. He raised $2,000 for Reps for Responders, which has a mission of supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all first responders, active or retired, including police EMS, EMTs, military and corrections.
Benaim said he originally came up with the ‘five marathons in five boroughs’ idea in late 2020.
“I developed a list of physical challenges to undertake as a way to raise awareness,” he said.
After completing the marathons, Benaim tacked on an additional half marathon in Suffolk County Long Island for a six-day running total of 144 miles.
“While running the marathons, I’d stop and talk with any individual in uniform,” Benaim said. “I’d explain what I was doing, then offer them some resources.”
After each marathon, Benaim, also a Suffolk County corrections officer, had a nightly routine of stretching and icing his feet.
“As painful as the runs were, the internal pain that those struggling with (mental health issues) every day is what kept me going,” said Benaim, who runs his own nonprofit, Project Patriot 22.
He started Project Patriot 22 on Veterans Day 2020 and said the organization became a 501(c)3 nonprofit in May 2023. It was created after Benaim lost several colleagues to suicide, while he faced his own mental health issues.
“I found that the stigma surrounding mental health can deter others from wanting to reach out, and I hope that this nonprofit can help start those conversations,” he said.
Project Patriot 22 also serves as a resource for anyone needing information, encouragement or support.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. stated in a news release that Benaim 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,” Toulon stated.
Benaim’s desire to help others was first inspired by his father, who served as a paratrooper in the Israeli Army.
“My dad always raised me to be patriotic, and to love this country,” he said.
With that inspiration and background, Benaim joined the local volunteer fire department in 2010 where he served for several years. In 2015, he began his career in law enforcement as a corrections officer with the New York State Department of Corrections. In 2017, he enlisted in the Army National Guard.
“I served as an infantryman with New York’s Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment until 2022,” he said.
For the past year, Benaim has worked as a corrections officer with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.
In 2015 when he was 25, Benaim began running to get in shape for the corrections’ training academy. Running, he soon discovered, also improved his own mental health.
“I used long distance running in order to improve my mental toughness and resilience,” he said.
While Benaim has had a good response since creating Project Patriot 22, his Marathons for Mental Health endeavor will not be an annual event.
“As of now, I’m looking forward to doing various challenges as well as community events as a way of continuing to raise awareness,” he said.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Text or call 988, then press 1. Visit Project Patriot 22 for more information.
