Chennai: This week, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy traveled to Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to commemorate World Mental Health Day. Dr. Murthy serves as “America’s Top Doctor” and is charged with promoting and protecting public health.
He is the first Surgeon General of Indian descent, and his parents are from Karnataka, India. Dr. Murthy’s trip to India highlights one of the Surgeon General’s main priorities: addressing the global mental health and loneliness crisis.
Speaking at the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bengaluru, Dr. Murthy remarked: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to return to India, the land of my ancestors and the source of so many of the values my parents sought to instill in me during my childhood. They taught me about the importance of relationships, the power of being part of a community and the profound gratification that comes from serving others,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “The US and India have a long and distinguished partnership on health, and I’ve come to India to learn and speak about mental health, an area where our nations have shared needs and shared opportunities for learning. I have met with extraordinary organizations and individuals in India that are working to break down the shame and stigma too often associated with this vital dimension of health. It is essential we work together to help increase access to mental health care services, address the drivers of the mental health crisis, and let people know there is no shame in seeking help. World Mental Health Day is a powerful reminder that we can all learn from each other and work in partnership to tackle these global challenges.”
“Glad to see America’s Top Doctor, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, in Bengaluru advocating the urgent need for mental health, why mental health matters to everyone, and how meaningful relationships and social connections can help to build networks of friendship, community, hope, and support.” – U.S. Consul General Chennai Chris Hodges
During his trip, Dr. Murthy met with young people directly at the Mariwala Health Initiative to hear directly from them about the struggles they face; hosted conversations with university students at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School, American School of Bombay, and Indian Institute of Technology to discuss the issues of loneliness, mental health, and social media with students; and visited Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research to observe Noora Health’s caregiving model in practice that addresses social isolation through a family-centered program that equips caregivers with basic yet vital skills and support they need to better care for their loved ones.
As the Co-Chair of the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection, he traveled to various countries on the mission to learn about the shared experiences on mental health in order to better address it as a global community. Dr. Murthy issued the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, and the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health.