Lost and lonely: America’s Mental Health Crisis

On Sunday, May 25, the above was the title of the Meet the Press special edition.  Host Kristin Welker opened the show with “More young Americans are struggling with isolation and anxiety than ever before.” 

Guests on the show were Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Arthur Brooks join a special edition of Meet the Press on America’s mental health crisis. Lori Gottlieb, Nedra Glover Tawwab and Jean Twenge. 

Vivek said loneliness is one of the most urgent crises of our time. It impacts mental and physical health. 

Experts have linked social media to an increase in anxiety and depression. Is keeping kids offline the right approach?  

• Two thirds of Gen Z report feelings of loneliness. 

• Half of young adults report feelings of anxiety and depression. 

• Youth suicide rates are climbing. It is one of the leading causes of death in adolescents. 

• One in five young adults report rarely or never receiving the social support they need. 

• Over 55 million adults report frequent loneliness.  

U.S. Representative Kennedy co-authored the “Mental Health Parity Act” in 2008. “It requires insurance coverage for mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, to be no more restrictive than insurance coverage for other medical conditions.” There is a current debate in congress about how to safeguard the next generation. He said “addiction-for-profit companies fuel loneliness epidemic.” 

Brooks shares “The happiness formula” and some possible solutions to the youth mental health crisis. 

Just before writing this, I saw two boys with bikes, sitting on the sidewalks. They weren’t talking or joking with each other. They were drinking pops and on their phones. When they did get up to leave, both rode their bike with one hand because the other hand was holding the phone so they could read it. 

I encourage all of you to watch the show. It is available online and could help you make a difference in someone or your own life. Youth mental health has never been at this level of desperation. 

 The number for the Wyoming LifeLine is 988. You can talk to a person who lives in Wyoming and understands the challenges you may be up against. To borrow a line from The SHACK … you matter.