Ryan Mains Ultrarunning to Raise Awareness for Firefighter PTSD

Ryan Mains is an ultrarunner determined to raise awareness for the struggle of firefighters with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Original airdate was September 1, 2020.

Some first responder mental health statistics include the following:

• 1 firefighter commits suicide every three days in the United States
• First responders are five times more likely to have suicidal ideations than the general public
• Among firefighters - 46.8% have ideations of suicide, 19.2% plan suicide, and 15.5% make an attempt.
• Among the general U.S. public - 13.5% have ideations of suicide, 3.9% plan suicide, and 4.6% make an attempt.

Firefighters are some of our country’s bravest heroes, and yet they often suffer from PTSD as a result of their service. Even though PTSD is a real and serious problem, it is often overlooked or dismissed in the firefighter community. As a way to bring attention to this important issue, Ryan Mains is using his passion for ultra-running to raise awareness of PTSD among firefighters.

You will learn about...

• Ryan's struggle with PTSD
• Treatment and support available for those with PTSD
• Ryan's awareness campaign called "Run For Our Lives"

Resources and Links

Ryan finishing up the 130 km ultrarunning event “Run for Our Lives” in 2020, view video on Facebook

Follow Ryan and his cause on the Facebook Page, Run for Our Lives

The Illinois Firefighter Peer Support Hotline has a page dedicated to Run for Our Lives and information on firefighter PTSD.

Read the 2018 report from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration about mental health needs among first responders. Firefighter PTSD is addressed here and information on first responder mental health statistics is provided.

Listen to these past related episodes of Beyond the Rut

BtR 118 – Sean Douglas on Resilience and Life Transformation

BtR 122 – Melissa Monte on Knowing What You Stand For

BtR 151 – Rob Decker Surviving Suicide and Ove

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