Loneliness is a Public Health Crisis

On May 2, 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory that declared loneliness a public health crisis. That's right, loneliness is now considered a serious health problem that can have a negative impact on your physical and mental well-being.

Loneliness is the feeling of being alone or isolated from others. It's not the same as being alone, which can be a good thing and sometimes even preferred (we see you introverts and fellow neurodivergent humans). Loneliness is when you feel like you don't have meaningful connections with other people.

Within his advisory, Dr. Murthy called on individuals, communities, and organizations to take steps to address loneliness. He suggested that people reach out to friends and family, get involved in their communities, and volunteer. And, he also reached out to social media health creators to help spread this important message.

To do this, on May 1st (the...