Now is the time for the United States of America and India to collaborate to tackle the global mental health crisis we are witnessing today, United States Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy said at a press conference in the city recently.
Dr Murthy is the first Surgeon General of Indian descent. As the Co-Chair of the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection, he has also issued the ‘Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation’ and the ‘Sur…
He was in Bengaluru recently to address the global mental health and the loneliness crisis among young adults. Addressing the press at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on Friday, he highlighted the need to strengthen…
“Loneliness is a public health issue. When people struggle with social disconnection, it increases their risk of depression, anxiety, suicide, and heart disease, dementia, and premature death,” he said.
Social media, loneliness and social isolation, and overwhelming pressures youth experience are three important contributors to the global mental health crisis. “We found in our surveys that a third of adolescents said they felt addicted to social med…
Financial stress, stigma, and shame to talk about mental health continue to remain challenges, he noted, calling on institutions and governments to prioritise access to care. “In medicine, we often focus a lot on treatment and often not enough on prevention. This is a time we cannot afford to do that; we have to do both,” he said.
Appreciating the efforts of Indian organisations for their work in mental health, he noted that social acceptability, affordability and accessibility are critical. He emphasised the importance of relationships and purpose, being part of a community and acts of service. “If we build these components into the lives of our children, we will help build a pathway of fulfilment for our kids, and that’s where our focu…
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