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New walk supports those on “The Recovery Road” from mental health and substance use disorders

October 31, 2025
The Recovery Road - Every Mile is a Milestone

In 2024, it is estimated that more than 307,000 lives were lost to mental health and substance use disorders in the United States. That staggering statistic inspired one man – Jason Lennox – to start The Recovery Road, a cumulative 307,000-mile walk to honor the lives lost, raise awareness, reduce stigma and fund critical treatment services. 

The road to recovery

Jason Lennox is the founder of One Arrow Group, a non-profit organization providing funding to behavioral health programs across the country - especially in high-need, under-resourced areas. In recovery himself, Lennox speaks candidly about how difficult the road to recovery is, and how different the path can look for those walking it. 

He created The Recovery Road and walked 20-plus miles a day until he surpassed his goal of 307 miles, completing more than 500 miles. Lennox also rallied others to join in with the goal of logging 307,000 cumulative miles walked in honor of each life lost in 2024 and raising $307,000 for One Arrow Group. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is a proud sponsor of The Recovery Road. Melissa Mikkonen, Principal Program Manager of Medicaid at Blue Cross, says the event aligns with Blue Cross’ commitment to supporting members and community partners.

“We want to be out in the community so we can build programs and partnerships that are representative of community members and their needs,” Mikkonen said. “If we’re not out there, we can’t hear their voices.”

Mikkonen is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with over twenty years of community mental health experience. She has spent decades working with those in recovery and said the stigma that surrounds mental health and substance use disorders can be isolating, but events like this can help bring people together. 

“It’s important for us to talk about mental health and substance use disorders in a highly visible format like this because they deserve treatment just like any other medical diagnosis,” Mikkonen said. “If we can reduce stigma and create community, that’s where healing happens.”

Mikkonen says supporting Blue Cross members also means supporting the community providers who care for them. “These facilities operate on razor-thin margins,” Mikkonen said. “The funds raised through The Recovery Road will help keep their doors open. That means more access to care, which hopefully means more lives saved, and more hope for those who are struggling and their families.”

Melissa Mikkonen pull quote

 

Get involved

The Recovery Road has several ways to get involved:

  • Walk. You can walk anywhere, anytime. All you have to do is log your miles toward the national goal of 307,000 miles.
  • Donate. You can donate as little as $1 per mile and you may find community sponsors to donate towards your walk.
  • Share. If you’re walking, share your progress on your social media channels. Tag The Recovery Road on Instagram and TikTok and use the following hashtags:
  • Add a tribute. You can add a tribute to a loved one who was lost to a mental health or substance use disorder on The Recovery Road website. 

Learn more

To learn more about The Recovery Road and how you can get involved, click here.