LIFELINE

HOW A FORMER DETECTIVE SURVIVED

PTSD AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

"IT WAS MY DUTY TO SERVE, NOW I FEEL IT IS MY DUTY TO SHARE."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A life-changing event led to Darren Ryan joining the police and 15 years later, another life-changing event led to him being medically discharged from the service, with PTSD.

In LIFELINE, his brutally frank and sometimes shocking memoir, the former detective opens up about his career on the frontline of some of the UK's toughest cases. Overseeing terrorism, covert operations and child protection, he was often faced with the kind of heinous crimes that leave scars long after the crime scene has been left. To the outside world, he was strong but inwardly, he was breaking.

LIFELINE began as a few words in a journal to help Darren navigate crisis. It soon became so much more; it became a way to process a significant life change and by doing so, he found himself on a mission to connect with others who had ever felt broken, lost or ready to give up.

It's the book he wishes had been available when he hit crisis, and the story of his darkest days, his breakdowns and his eventual breakthrough to living a happier, healthier and more present life.

LIFELINE is more than a memoir; it's a movement.

It's a raw and unfiltered story that challenges the silence around mental health, showing that talking openly is not weakness but survival. It's about prevention before it's too late and about finding the courage to rewrite your own story when life shatters.

One story. A shared lifeline.

"Difficult to read, impossible to forget"

An essential voice against "weakness"

Challenging Institutional Stigma

LEIGH.COM INTERVIEW WITH DARREN RYAN

Why did you write this book?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

Lifeline exists because silence nearly cost me everything. Like many people, I was conditioned to be strong, capable and self- reliant. I learned how to survive but not how to ask for help. Eventually others became my lifeline, and that support made the difference between life and death.

The memoir started life as a few words in a journal while I was trying to navigate a personal crisis. Over time it became much more than that. Writing helped me process a huge life change and eventually I realised that sharing my story might help others who feel broken, lost or ready to give up.

It is for anyone who has ever felt isolated, as well as for loved ones trying to understand PTSD. My hope is that it helps break the silence around trauma and mental health.

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

If Lifeline does one thing, I hope it reminds people that they’re still human and that hope still exists even in the darkest moments. The most dangerous moments are often the quiet ones - when you convince yourself not to speak.

I didn’t write it just for people in emergency services. I wrote it for anyone who struggles to talk openly about their mental health. Sometimes it’s easier for someone to read another person’s experience and recognise what they’re going through.

There’s a thread of hope running through the book. If you can get through today, tomorrow might feel different.

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

No, absolutely not. It was a long process but I will say that writing gave me purpose at a time when I had lost my identity after leaving the police. Every page had the power to trigger strong physical reactions because of the trauma behind the memories.

There’s a chapter called Perseverance, and that title reflects the writing process itself. Some chapters took months to write. I would start, stop, procrastinate or even experience panic attacks while trying to get the words down. Sometimes I recorded my voice instead of typing because I simply didn’t have the energy to pick up a pen. I wanted the book to be completely authentic - raw, honest and real.

Can you sum up what Lifeline is about?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

At its heart, Lifeline is about the hidden cost of protecting others. During my time as a serious crime detective I was exposed to some of the darkest aspects of humanity while hunting online predators and working on traumatic cases.

The book explores how that led to PTSD, trauma and addiction - but also how recovery is possible. It challenges the silence around mental health and how asking for help is not weakness, it’s survival.

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

It’s the book I wish had existed when I reached crisis. If someone reads Lifeline and recognises themselves in its pages, I hope it encourages them to seek support, the earlier the better.

Early conversations and early intervention can save lives. This book isn’t about weakness - it’s about being human.

Have you got plans to write another book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

Yes, I’m currently working on a children’s book that aims to help parents with PTSD explain what they’re experiencing to their children in a safe and supportive way.

One of the hardest things for me was trying to explain to my children what their dad was going through. Education and understanding are vital, especially for families living with this condition.

Lifeline is now available to buy on Kindle, hardback and paperback, from Amazon.

LIFELINE

"Difficult to read, impossible to forget"

An essential voice against "weakness"

Challenging Institutional Stigma

READ SAMPLE

SCAN TO START YOUR JOURNEY BUY LIFELINE TODAY

"A voice for those carrying silent wounds."

"The horror of PTSD, the power of hope."

"An invitation, not a lecture."

REAL READERS. REAL IMPACT

LEIGH.COM INTERVIEW WITH DARREN RYAN

Why did you write this book?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

Can you sum up what Lifeline is about?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

Have you got plans to write another book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

LIFELINE is more than my story. It's a message of hope. Live LIFE - Don't simply survive it.

LIFELINE

"Difficult to read, impossible to forget"

An essential voice against "weakness"

Challenging Institutional Stigma

READ SAMPLE

SCAN TO START YOUR JOURNEY BUY LIFELINE TODAY

"A voice for those carrying silent wounds."

"The horror of PTSD, the power of hope."

"An invitation, not a lecture."

REAL READERS. REAL IMPACT

LEIGH.COM INTERVIEW WITH DARREN RYAN

Why did you write this book?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

What do you hope people will gain from reading it?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

Can you sum up what Lifeline is about?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

This is your first book. Was it easy to write?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

Have you got plans to write another book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

What do you hope readers take away from the book?

LIFELINE is more than my story. It's a message of hope. Live LIFE - Don't simply survive it.

This website uses cookies.