Choose Community
Dear Friends,
Last Sunday I was watching “Meet the Press” hosted by Kristen Welker. It dedicated the entire segment addressing the lost and lonely crisis of our young people today. More young Americans are struggling with feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideation than ever before. The mental health crisis in America is impacting young people in profound ways, and public health officials say it is an emergency. Two-thirds of Gen Z report feelings of loneliness, and half of young adults report symptoms of anxiety and depression. Youth suicide rates are climbing; it is now one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and young adults. Almost one in five young adults report rarely or never receiving the social support they need. In our super internet connected times, over 55 million U.S. adults report frequent loneliness. The smartphones and social media apps that connect us to the world are also accelerating the crisis. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, teenage depression doubled between 2011 and 2019. Unregulated social media platforms and the rise of artificial intelligence present unique challenges for the future, and there is bipartisan concern on Capitol Hill to address this issue.
The first guest was Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, the author of the book Together: The Healing Power off Human Connection In a Sometimes Lonely World which addresses what he’s declared is an epidemic of loneliness and isolation in America. He says loneliness is one of the most urgent crises of our time and what he sees as a profound public health threat. He argued that loneliness has serious effects on our mental health and our physical health.
He said his one last piece of advice to America is two words, “Choose Community.” In his departing message delivered in January 2025, Dr. Murthy urged Americans to prioritize community. He called it a “parting prescription,” recommending individuals focus on relationships, service, and purpose to build stronger and more fulfilling communities. He emphasized the importance of relationships found in community where people find a sense of belonging, support, service, purpose, and meaning. They are the core pillars of community, and it can significantly impact health outcomes, including loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
A couple of things that stood out to me from this interview of Dr. Vivek Murthy. One, hold off giving smartphones to your children until they reach age 16. Give them “dumb” or “flip” phones instead. Our kids’ worsening mental health is an emergency, and it’s an emergency clearly and undeniably linked to social media. Their brains are still developing and haven’t built a sense of self yet. They are quite susceptible to having a negative effect on their mental health from hyper comparisons promoted in social media.
Second, when Dr. Murthy went around the country visiting schools and campuses, cafeterias were quiet because students were all looking at their smartphones or their ears covered with headsets. Kids are not talking to each other.
Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I, in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) The post Easter story of The Walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35) is a story of a stranger joining two of Jesus’ followers walking to the village of Emmaus after the death of Jesus. The stranger remained a stranger until something happened. They extended hospitality to the stranger and insisted he stay with them, and share a meal together.
“As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.” (Luke 24:28-31)
This story is significant in that Jesus is recognized only when we turn a stranger into a friend through the act of connecting. As one church woman said, “There are no strangers, only people whom I haven’t met.”
Here is a fun resource for children and adults alike to use to connect with others and build relationships. It’s called “Human Library”. Instead of checking out books in the library, you check out people to learn about them.
Take turns asking following questions:
1. What is your favorite food?
2. What is or was your favorite class/subject in school?
3. What are your favorite sports?
4. What do you love to do the most?
5. Do you have a best friend that you enjoy hanging out with?
6. What do you do together?
7. If there is one place you would like to visit, what is that place?
8. Describe what your best day or perfect day looks like?
9. What do you love (like) about yourself?
10. What do you do very well?
11. What do people tell you that you are good at doing?
12. What is one thing you wish you could do very, very well?
Happy connecting!
John
