Beautifully Broken
a film by daniel herzog
Beautifully Broken is a powerful documentary film exploring grief, trauma, and resilience after suicide. Through ultra-endurance athlete Jared’s journey, the film brings urgent attention to mental health in law enforcement, families, and communities across the country.
watch the official trailer
Watch the trailer for Beautifully Broken, a documentary on suicide prevention, mental health awareness, and healing after loss.
official selections & community Screenings
About the film
Beautifully Broken is a feature-length mental health and suicide prevention documentary that explores PTSD, trauma recovery, and resilience through the lens of ultra-endurance running.
At the center of the film is Jared Buchanan, who takes on the Cocodona 250 — a 250-mile ultramarathon across the Arizona desert — on the 10-year anniversary of his father’s death by suicide. His father, a dedicated police officer, left behind a final message: “Make my death an issue so you can help others like me.”
Determined to honor that request, Jared channels grief into purpose. Through extreme endurance challenges, he confronts trauma, mental health stigma, and the silent struggles affecting law enforcement officers, veterans, families, and communities nationwide. Ultra running becomes more than a sport — it becomes a framework for healing, awareness, and advocacy.
Through intimate interviews with mental health professionals, endurance athletes, and survivors, Beautifully Broken examines PTSD, depression, and suicide prevention with honesty and urgency. The film highlights both the depth of loss and the strength required to keep moving forward.
Beautifully Broken is more than a documentary about ultra running. It is a call to action — a mental health awareness film designed to spark dialogue, reduce stigma, and encourage communities to address suicide prevention openly and directly.
why mental health awareness matters
The National Mental Health Crisis
Mental health challenges affect millions of Americans each year. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences a mental health condition annually
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States
More than 49,000 Americans died by suicide in 2023
Source: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health By the Numbers
https://www.nami.org/mhstats
These statistics reflect a growing public health concern that affects families, workplaces, campuses, and communities nationwide.
our mission
Beautifully Broken exists to inspire action, increase awareness, and support meaningful conversations about mental health, trauma, and suicide prevention. The film goes beyond personal storytelling to examine how grief reshapes identity and how healing often comes through community, service, and honest dialogue.
Rather than sensationalizing suicide, Beautifully Broken prioritizes help-seeking, prevention, and recovery — engaging audiences with lived experience, advocacy voices, and evidence-based perspectives on resilience and support.
The mission of Beautifully Broken includes:
Elevating mental health awareness nationwide
Reducing stigma around PTSD, trauma, and suicide
Equipping communities, campuses, and first responders to engage in prevention and support initiatives
Fostering resilience through storytelling and shared experience
Driving action through facilitated discussions, screenings, and resources
Beautifully Broken is designed as a movement for change, using documentary film to create pathways for healing, collective understanding, and community-based suicide prevention efforts.
Law Enforcement & First Responder Suicide Statistics
Law enforcement officers face unique mental health stressors, including trauma exposure, long shifts, public scrutiny, and cumulative PTSD.
According to First Responder Support Network and reporting from Blue H.E.L.P.:
More officers die by suicide each year than in the line of duty
Hundreds of law enforcement officers have died by suicide annually in recent years
Many departments lack sufficient mental health resources or stigma-free support systems
Source: Blue H.E.L.P. Annual Law Enforcement Suicide Reports
https://bluehelp.org
These numbers underscore the urgent need for open dialogue, prevention resources, and community-based awareness initiatives.
