'Everybody has experienced loneliness': US Surgeon General talks mental health with ASU students

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy joined ASU students on Monday to share a message about mental health, such as loneliness and depression: You are not alone.

Known as the "We Are Made to Connect Tour," Murthy has been traveling to colleges, universities and other venues across the U.S. speaking about the importance of social connection among young people and guiding them on how to improve their mental health.

Jane Richter, Murthy's press secretary, said college-aged students in the United States face some of the highest rates of loneliness, which can impact both mental and physical health.

"You think young people are so connected, but they're really struggling right now," Richter said. "Young people often feel there's no one they can talk to."

Richter said the purpose of the tour was to engage students in conversation by "meeting people where they are." These intimate panels serve as an opportunity for people to connect with Murthy and each other.

"We talk (to them) about the problems that they're facing and what specifically they're struggling with," Richter said. "But also how they can work to incorporate more connection and community into their daily lives." 

The 'loneliness epidemic'

Often partnering with high-profile public figures during these events, Murthy aims to exemplify how feeling lonely is relatable and can affect all kinds of people, Richter said. Joining Murthy onstage at the Memorial Union was Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles, who advocated for mental health awareness during her tenure.

Both Murthy and Broyles shared and discussed their own experiences with mental health challenges and took questions from attendees.

"Being able to be open and vulnerable about my personal struggles has been very validating," Broyles said during the panel. "It's allowed me to forge more honest relationships and connect with others on a deeper, more personal and emotional level," Broyles added.

For Murthy, being able to openly speak to students about his struggles with loneliness and isolation is deeply personal.

"It's very meaningful to be able to connect with other people who have struggled with their mental health and who are struggling right now," Murthy said. "It wasn't something I could speak about publicly for many years."

In April 2020, Murthy published his book "Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World", where he discusses how people can reduce loneliness in themselves and others.

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Why mental health and loneliness is such an issue for young people

Murthy said he believes one reason young people are seeing a decline in mental health is social media. Earlier this year, Murthy released a news release about the negative impacts social media has on young people, which can make them feel worse about themselves and their relationships, he said.

"I firmly believe that the youth mental health crisis is the defining public health challenge of our time," Murthy said. "We've got to do everything as a society to not only give young people access to treatment and to resources but also to get at the root causes of what's driving this mental health crisis in the first place."

Murthy has spent much of his time as surgeon general talking with college students about their mental health. This has guided his efforts to make his connection tour accessible to everyone and to seriously consider the feedback he receives from students at the events.

According to Murthy, the vast majority of young Americans he spoke with often experience feelings of loneliness and isolation, which is a common thread he found at many different universities across the country, he said. A recent survey conducted by ASU reported that 80% of students feel they have been unable to form meaningful relationships.

Murthy said he has focused on mental health during his second term as U.S. Surgeon General because the "loneliness epidemic" is a widespread experience many can understand.

It's now more important than ever to address mental health challenges and social connection among young people, both Richter and Murthy said.

Murthy added that there is a new urgency stemming from our post-pandemic world, where college-aged people are reporting higher rates of depression and anxiety.

"The COVID-19 pandemic was a very hard time for so many people," Richter added. "Now we have this unique moment where everyone has some insight into loneliness and can understand a bit what that feels like."

Richter said they're seeking to "reset" things by challenging stigmas around mental health, especially as it's "critical to our health," she said.

"Everybody has experienced loneliness at some point, so we're just trying to take this moment and run with it," said Richter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy talks mental health with ASU students