Don Ryan

An authoritative voice on surviving the loss of a loved one to suicide and the systemic stereotypes that lead to the stigma associated with mental health and suicide, Don offers a rare perspective that comes from experiencing suicide first-hand, both personally and professionally.

Don earned his Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a Bachelors in Sociology and Masters of Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Maryland. Don has worked in social work fields for more than 30 years.

Previously a therapist working with children experiencing trauma, he has worked in child welfare, mental health provision, and homelessness fields. He currently works on tackling systemic issues of violence reduction and suicide prevention efforts for Hennepin County, MN, specifically coordinating a veteran specific suicide prevention cohort.

Don lives in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota with his two teenage sons.