May 25 - Lost & Lonely: America’s Mental Health Crisis

May 25, 2025

Guest

Vivek Murthy

Join Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General and author advocating for tackling loneliness, alongside Patrick J. Kennedy, former Congressman and mental health policy champion, and Arthur Brooks, Harvard happiness expert. They discuss America’s growing mental health crisis, particularly among youth, exacerbated by social media. Insights include the need for community support and educational programs teaching emotional skills. They offer practical strategies to promote meaningful connections and genuine happiness in a tech-driven world.

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INSIGHT

Loneliness Equals Smoking Harm

Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day for health.
It increases risks of depression, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and early mortality.

ANECDOTE

Lonely Students on Campus

Vivek Murthy observed college students surrounded by peers but feeling unknown and alone.
He noticed a decline in face-to-face interaction due to device use and earbuds in dining halls.

ADVICE

Delay Social Media Use

Parents should delay children's social media use until after middle school, around age 16.
Create tech-free zones to protect sleep, face-to-face interaction, learning, and physical activity.

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Profiles in Mental Health Courage

Stephen Fried

Patrick J. Kennedy

Ten Rules for Raising Kids in a High Tech World

Jean Twenge

Build the Life You Want

The Art and Science of Getting Happier

Arthur C Brooks

Oprah Winfrey

In 'Build the Life You Want,' Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey offer a research-based approach to improving one's life by focusing on emotional self-management. The book emphasizes building the four pillars of happiness: family, friendship, work, and faith. It provides practical, science-backed strategies to manage emotions, turn challenges into opportunities, and find inner peace. The authors share their own experiences and those of others who have found joy despite hardships, highlighting the importance of enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose in achieving a happier life.

Consider This, Reflections for Finding Peace

Nedra Glover Tawwab

Together

The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World

Vivek Murthy

In this book, Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a compelling case for loneliness as a major public health concern, comparable in harm to smoking. He argues that loneliness affects not only individual health but also societal cohesion, contributing to issues such as addiction, violence, depression, and anxiety. The book is divided into sections on understanding loneliness and building more connected lives, offering strategies like spending time with loved ones, focusing on each other, embracing solitude, and helping others. Murthy draws from personal experiences, scientific research, and community examples to illustrate the negative impacts of loneliness and the healing power of human connection.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed

Lori Gottlieb

In 'Maybe You Should Talk to Someone,' Lori Gottlieb presents a dual narrative where she recounts her experiences as a psychotherapist working with various patients and as a patient herself, seeking therapy after a sudden and devastating breakup. The book introduces several patients, including a self-absorbed Hollywood producer, a young newlywed diagnosed with terminal cancer, a senior citizen contemplating ending her life, and a young woman struggling with alcoholism and poor relationship choices. Through these stories, Gottlieb sheds light on the therapeutic process, highlighting the complexities of human emotions, the importance of connection, and the universal quest for meaning and inner reconciliation. The book is known for its candid and humorous approach, offering insights into the human condition and the transformative power of therapy.