Dr. K hosted none other than the United States Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, on a recent Twitch livestream, where they discussed the importance of championing and supporting youth mental health, as well as the challenges of connecting in our modern, digital world.

Dr. Murthy also explained the challenges that have arised in mental health following the COVID-19 pandemic, and how these challenges are disproportionately affecting the youth.

“In the decade prior to the pandemic, there was a 57% increase in the suicide rate among young people [...]. We knew that there was a problem beforehand, and sadly the pandemic poured fuel on that fire.”

Dr. Murthy and Dr. K go on to discuss the importance of reaching out to loved ones in times of distress, touching on the topics addressed in the Office of the Surgeon General’s recent advisory titled: Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation. The advisory urges the healing effects of social connection and community.

The Office of the Surgeon General has also released several other advisories, covering essential topics such as protecting youth mental health, combating health misinformation, and social media use.

“Mental health is the fuel that allows us to show up in our lives, at work, in school, for our families, for our communities,” says Dr. Murthy.

Check out the full conversation here: