Becca Balint: “We are in the midst of a nationwide mental health crisis, and it is critically important for all of us in positions of…”

“We are in the midst of a nationwide mental health crisis, and it is critically important for all of us in positions of power to do the work of passing legislation and funding programs that will meet the needs of our constituents. It is also important that we use our positions to help create opportunities for connections in our communities right now because we have a crisis of loneliness and disconnection in our Nation. It has become such an urgent issue that our U.S. Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, has unveiled a new framework and strategy to address this national crisis of loneliness. Murthy has said that social connections must be a top priority in terms of public health. He believes, as I do, that the epidemic of loneliness and isolation has fueled other problems in our society that are making us very sick. His research shows that about one in every two Americans is experiencing loneliness at any given time. It is shocking. It isn't just emotionally uncomfortable to be lonely; it also has real consequences for our health. It can increase the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, stroke, and data indicates that the risk of a premature death due to loneliness is even comparable to the risk associated with being a daily smoker. This rampant disconnection and loneliness also fuels anger and distrust, and it adds to the disconnection that many Americans experience. The science is clear and compelling.…”