As the clock runs out on the Biden administration, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, issued what he called his “Parting Prescription for America.”
The treatise, informed by his six years of service as the country’s top doctor, once again touches on the nation’s mental health and what he refers to as our fading sense of community.
“We face a profound choice,” Murthy said in a press release. “Do we continue with the status quo, marked by pain, disconnection, and division? Or do we choose a path of joy, health, and fulfillment, where we turn toward each other instead of away, choosing love over fear, and recognizing community as the foundation for our well-being?”
A Sense of Community
Murthy has made mental health a priority throughout his tenure. He insists that our well-being is inherently tied to our relationships with one another – and a sense of belonging.
“The U.S. Surgeon General recognizes that being a healthy nation is not only about physical health, regular doctor visits, and taking medications. It’s also about being mentally healthy and positively contributing to the community,” Monima Wellness Co-founder and CEO Max Doshay, MD, told Psychiatrist.com. “Although we’re all individuals, we’re still part of something bigger – our family, our neighborhood, our culture. Many people might feel lonely, depressed, and anxious when they don’t feel this support from others and feel like they don’t belong.”
A Prescription for Purpose
Consequently, Murthy urges Americans to prioritize their relationships, embrace service, and find a purpose. He calls the “triad of fulfillment.” Each of these, he insists, lie at the heart of our health and happiness.
- Relationships: “Healthy relationships are powerful sources of joy and stress relief,” Murthy points out. Fostering – and nurturing – interpersonal connections remains essential to our collective well-being. Yet, loneliness affects one-third of adults and half of younger Americans, fueling increased risks of heart disease, dementia, depression, and early death.
- Service: Murthy also points to the importance of acts of service. He cited research that shows that sustained efforts to help others can lower one’s risk of hypertension, depression, and cognitive decline while shoring up a stronger feeling of connection.
- Purpose: Finally, Murthy asserts that finding a sense of purpose can have a profound effect on one’s mental and physical health. Murthy highlights data that suggests a link between purpose to reduced risks of stroke, dementia, and depression, while acting as a firewall against stress.
“Murthy’s tips hit so close to prevailing ideas in mental health and wellness. His focus on connection, service and purpose is in line with studies of positive psychology, social connectedness and meaning-making – the three pillars of psychological resilience and life satisfaction,” New York City neuropsychologist Sanam Hafeez, MD, added. “Beyond Dr Murthy’s suggestions, we should be working on increasing mental health access for those with more severe issues. Increasing access to quality, affordable mental health care is crucial.”
A Call to Action
Murthy’s final appeal challenges individuals and institutions alike to embrace a cultural shift. He calls for policies and programs that foster relationships, encourage service, and help people discover their purpose. These efforts, he believes, will create a more unified, fulfilled, and healthier nation.
“As I finish my tenure as surgeon general, this is my parting prescription, my final wish for all of us: choose community,” Murthy concludes.
Further Reading
Dry January Gains Steam as Research Exposes Alcohol Risks
Surgeon General Calls for Social Media Warning Labels
Loneliness is as Deadly as Obesity and Drug Abuse, Surgeon General Says
