Officer Runs 133 Miles, From Montauk To NYC, To Combat Mental Health Struggles In Veterans, First Responders

MONTAUK, NY — Sometimes, the longest of journeys reaps the greatest of rewards.

Such was the case for Jeff Benaim, 36, a Suffolk County police officer, veteran and the president and founder of Project Patriot 22, a nonprofit that supports veteran and first responder mental health.

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Recently, on June 27 and June 28, Benaim ran 133 miles, from Montauk to Manhattan, to raise awareness and funds for veteran and first responder mental health issues.

Along the way, first responders, veterans, runners, and members of the community joined throughout the route — and together they've raised over $10,000 so far.

With a mantra of "wellness for those who serve," Benaim said he was motivated to found Project Patriot 22 in 2020, after seeing first hand the struggles that so many veterans and first responders face. The organization officially became a nonprofit in 2023.

Benaim realizes that whether on the front lines in battle or racing to respond to crises at home, veterans and first responders often emerge having witnessed the most painful and unbearable tragedies, agonizing images seared into minds and hearts that will remain there, forever.

Before serving as a Suffolk County police officer, Benaim was employed as a correction officer for 10 years.

Benaim also served five years in the Army National Guard as an Infantryman with Manhattan's Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment.

He's seen, firsthand, how some cannot endure the pain.

"In 2017, I lost one of my partners in corrections to suicide, and over the years I've lost other coworkers, as well," he said. "Between my experiences in law enforcement, the military, and witnessing the impact that mental health struggles can have on individuals, families, and entire departments, I realized this was something I couldn't just stand by and watch. We all face mental health struggles at different points in our lives, and I believe no one should have to face them alone."

The mission of Project Patriot 22 is to break the stigma surrounding mental health, encourage veterans and first responders to seek help without fear or shame, he said — and to remind them that no matter what they're going through, they never have to face it alone.

Admitting that they might be struggling is not easy, Benaim said.

"Too many veterans and first responders still feel hesitant to reach out for help because of the stigma surrounding mental health," he said. "Project Patriot 22 exists to help change that by encouraging these conversations, breaking down that stigma, and helping create a culture where asking for help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness."

Benaim has gained his knowledge and empathy firsthand.

"Throughout my career in law enforcement and the military, I've known veterans and first responders who have struggled with their mental health after everything they've experienced. Seeing the impact it can have on individuals, their families, and their coworkers has only reinforced why this mission is so important to me," he said.

He added: "At the end of the day, veterans and first responders are human. They see things that most people will thankfully never experience. We spend a lot of time training people to handle the physical demands of the job, but not always the mental and emotional ones. Over time, carrying those experiences can take a real toll."

When asked why he believes many first responders and veterans struggle in silence, Benaim reflected: "I I think a lot of it comes down to the culture. Veterans and first responders are often expected to be the strong one for everyone else, so asking for help can feel difficult. Some worry they'll be judged or looked at differently. The reality is that asking for help takes courage, and I think we need to continue creating a culture where people know it's okay to speak up before they reach a crisis."

In February, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released the 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which "provides the most current and comprehensive picture of suicide among veterans and non-veteran U.S. adults from 2001 through 2023," a release said.

While the report shows that suicides among veterans declined in 2023, "it emphasizes the continued need to ensure every veteran has access to support, care and connection. Each loss is not only an individual tragedy, but it also has a profound impact on families, communities and the broader veteran population. We will build upon our recent progress to prevent veteran suicide."

In 2023, the report said, 6,398 veterans died by suicide, which was 44 fewer deaths than in 2022. According to the report, the 2023 total was lower than 14 of the previous 15 years, which "reflects recent momentum in suicide prevention efforts. These numbers show encouraging results and illustrate that continued, collective action to reduce suicide risk and strengthen protective factors (like social support, employment, housing and more) has positive effects in this fight against veteran suicide," the report said.

In 2025 New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released the results of NY's first responder mental health needs assessment.

Some of the report's key findings include:

• Stress was experienced by more than two-thirds of first responders (68 percent), followed by burnout (59 percent) and anxiety (52 percent).
• A majority of first responders reported having experienced symptoms associated with the mental health condition depression (53 percent) and approximately 4 in 10 first responders experienced symptoms associated with the mental health condition PTSD (38 percent).
• Thoughts of suicide were reported by 16 percent of first responders, which is four times higher than the general population in New York State.
• More than 90 percent reported that services such as individual therapy, couple and family therapy, and peer support groups would help improve first responder mental health, if they were free and easily accessible.
• However, 80 percent reported that stigma is a major barrier to seeking help, and 78 percent cited not recognizing the need for help as a barrier, along with 75 percent reporting the lack of mental health providers who understand the needs of first responders as a barrier. Additionally, 72 percent reported concerns about confidentiality.
• Emergency communications personnel had among the highest ratings for stressors and mental health impacts relative to other first responder occupations.

Sadly, Benaim has seen tragic consequences, with suicide a critical concern among veterans and first responders.

"Throughout my career I've seen the devastating impact suicide can have on families, friends, coworkers, and entire departments," he said. "During my run, the family of Suffolk County Police Lieutenant Richard Grice came out to support the mission after losing him to suicide. Seeing them there was a powerful reminder of why these conversations matter and why we have to continue letting people know they're never alone."

The challenges are ever-present, he added — and both veterans and first responders need to know that asking for help is not something to fear.

"I think it starts from day one, whether that's the police academy, fire academy, or military boot camp. We spend a lot of time preparing people physically for these careers, but we also need to prepare them mentally and let them know from the very beginning that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness," he said.

He added: "These challenges don't always end when the job does, either. Many veterans and first responders continue to struggle long after retirement or leaving the service. That's why it's so important to build a culture where people feel comfortable asking for help throughout their careers and beyond. We all have a role to play by checking in on one another because you never truly know what someone may be carrying."

During his recent run, Benaim began on June 27, National PTSD Awareness Day; he kicked off the event at the Montauk Point Lighthouse and finished 133 miles later in Times Square after 38 continuous hours without sleep.

"The goal was never about the mileage," he said. "It was about using the run to bring attention to veteran and first responder mental health and remind people that no one has to struggle alone. If it encouraged even one person to start a conversation, check in on someone, or ask for help, then every mile was worth it."

Benaim told Patch that he had been building toward something like the run for years.

In 2023, he ran five marathons in five days through all five boroughs of New York City to raise awareness for veteran and first responder mental health. Then in 2024, he completed his first 100-mile race.

"Those experiences, along with months of training leading up to this run, helped prepare me for the challenge," he said.

And, he added: "While I ran all 133 miles myself, I couldn't have done it without an incredible support crew. Dozens of veterans, first responders, and runners joined me throughout different sections of the route. Some even ran a marathon or more alongside me. One of the most memorable parts was seeing the community come together. Entire families came out to cheer us on, held signs, and offered encouragement along the way. That support meant more than I can put into words."

For Benaim, the run was deeply fulfilling.

"It meant more than I can put into words," he said. "During the moments when things got tough, I'd think about the people I met along the way and the stories they shared with me about how mental health had affected their lives. Seeing veterans, first responders, runners, and entire families out there cheering us on gave me the motivation to keep going."

His fervent wish is to share the experience with those who might be facing their own challenges, he said.

"More than anything, I wish every veteran and first responder could have seen it through my eyes," he said. "I hope they would have realized just how many people truly care about them, appreciate their service, and want them to know they never have to face their struggles alone."

There is a need for all to be involved, to ensure veterans and first responders are not in a dark place, Benaim said.

"I want people to remember that checking in on someone doesn't have to be complicated," he said. "Sometimes a simple conversation can make all the difference. You never truly know what someone is carrying, and taking a few minutes to reach out could change — or even save a life. Most importantly, I want every veteran and first responder to know that it's okay to not be okay, and that no matter what they may be going through, they are never alone."

Benaim has found the run deeply meaningful, most especially, in "seeing the impact this mission has had on people. Whether it was hearing someone's story along the route, seeing complete strangers come together to support the cause, or receiving messages from people who said the run inspired them to check in on a friend or ask for help, those moments mean more to me than the miles ever could. If this mission helped even one person realize they're not alone, then it was all worth it."