Vivek Murthy might’ve wrapped up his term as U.S. Surgeon General last year–probably because he believed in practicing medicine rather than outright hoo doo–but he’s not done helping people.
A pervasive theme of Murthy’s regarding humanity’s general state of health is a lack of attention being paid to mental illnesses and what’s causing them. As he was leaving his office Murthy released a final report urging Americans to combat the epidemic of loneliness by prioritizing community building; he even included a blueprint that IDed relationships, service, and purpose as what you need to build a community.
Murthy’s been sounding the alarm for years about rising anxiety and depression linked to online platforms, particularly social media. He criticized Congress last year for not regulating social media with things like warning labels to protect children’s mental health. He also joined the Board of Directors of Common Sense Media, which is working to create a safer digital landscape particularly for children. He continues to speak publicly about these issues and he’s an interesting guy, so if you get the chance, hear him out.
