Minnesota Man and Former NFL Player Walk Hundreds of Miles to Raise Mental Health Awareness
A Minnesota man is currently completing a 307-mile walk with a former NFL player to honor those impacted by addiction and mental health challenges, aiming to reduce stigma and increase support for those struggling.
Jason Lennox, founder of the mental health awareness campaign “The Recovery Road,” began the journey after overcoming his own personal struggles. He has walked through West Virginia, Virginia, and Kentucky, and recently stopped in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Joining him is Everson Griffin, a former Minnesota Vikings player. Lennox explained the significance of the route, stating, “So the symbolism there is not something I anticipated, but just thinking about the Recovery Road as we’re walking it, physical recovery road, and then what recovery looked like…it just couldn’t have been more timely and more perfectly kind of expressed by this journey.”
Griffin shared insights gained during the trek, emphasizing the importance of listening. “I learned a lot on this trip…the number one thing I learned is that, you know, you got to listen more,” he said. Both men highlighted the dual meaning of a “recovery road,” acknowledging its literal and metaphorical challenges. Lennox described early recovery as “lonely, it’s dirty, it’s chaotic, it’s loud, it’s boring…for the most part, it’s just again, facing the headwinds.” Griffin added, “When the road gets narrow, you gotta, you gotta have laser focus, and when the road gets wide open, it’s your time to shine.” Increased awareness of mental health resources is crucial, as nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.
Lennox will continue his advocacy work at the Invest Behavioral Conference in Nashville on October 22nd, where he plans to push for increased funding and resources for addiction and mental health services. You can learn more about the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and available support.
Officials stated Lennox will use the conference as a platform to share his experiences and advocate for policy changes.
