Social Media Has a Direct Impact on Mental Health: US Surgeon General on NDTV

New Delhi:

There is a direct link between social media use and mental health, especially among young people, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told NDTV today. He said that his office had given advice on this matter, asking that this matter be looked into.

The Surgeon General of the United States is the physician for the entire United States of America. The Surgeon General is consulted by the US President on all public health and emergency health issues. It is one of the top places in the United States and is responsible for the American health system as a whole, new technology in this field, and scientific progress in medicine.

Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy spoke exclusively to NDTV today about a variety of issues, including the growing global mental health crisis and how the media How does it affect society?

“There is a need to protect our children,” the Surgeon General said, adding that it is important to him and his department to “make mental health the most important thing it should be.” “Many countries are struggling with mental health problems, and there are high levels of depression, anxiety and suicide out of sadness,” he said.

‘DESTRUCTION’

Vice Admiral Murthy explained that his consultancy aims to focus on “the stigma surrounding mental health”, which he says “makes it difficult for patients to talk about it at home with their families, and makes that their struggle becomes more difficult because they rarely ask for the help they need.”

As an increasing number of young people struggle with mental health issues around the world, the United States’ top doctor said, “What we really have to do is look at mental health. how it is – it is part of our general health and mind. health is as important to a person as physical health is, and it must be treated quickly and in the front. where it belongs.”

‘FRIENDLY DIFFERENCES, PUBLIC PERSPECTIVES’

“Older generations are not always used to talking about mental health issues,” the Surgeon General said, acknowledging that “different generations look at mental health differently, as do different nations. “

“While older generations don’t talk about it openly, younger generations are more open and positive about mental health issues,” he said.

Speaking about cultural attitudes towards mental health and the stigma associated with it, Vice Admiral Murthy said: “We see a lot of cultural differences when it comes to looking at mental health issues. My family is from India, and the Indian-American community.Growing up, we never talked about mental health issues.

Giving an example of her own experience of the stigma of mental health problems, she said, “I had an uncle who sadly lost his life by suicide. I remember the feeling of shame. around the family that something like this happened. There was a lot of concern about telling other people what happened because of what they would think of that kind of stigma and message. The one he sends to the young and the old, is that these matters are not appropriate to talk about.

“We need to change this. I’m determined to make the day when we can talk about the mental health issues we face as easily as we would about ankle sprains or heart disease. We need to talk about it with equal freedom ” he said.

‘BALL BUILDING FOR A PERFECT LIFE’

Young people are under a lot of pressure and stress to do well in life, said the leading doctor, and so, I asked many young people what success means to them, he added .

“We need to ask ourselves what we are doing to define success for young people in order to help them lead fulfilling lives. When I spoke to young people in the US, many of them said they felt asked that they enter after making a living. the definition of success depends a lot on – ‘How much money you make’, ‘How much fame you can get’, and ‘How much power you can get’ – And although There is nothing wrong with wanting to accumulate power, wealth and fame, if we feel that this is what will bring long-term fulfillment, unfortunately life’s experiences and challenges often make us feel otherwise. ,” he said.

“So, if we really want our children to be truly and deeply fulfilled, the thing we need to think more about is – How can we help them build a purpose-oriented life, in the project, in the service and in the community? because these are the foundations of fulfillment that we all want for our children,” he explained.

A KEY PERSON IN MANAGING STRESS PRESSURE

Speaking about the stress and pressures faced by the youth, Vice Admiral Murthy said, “We need to see and understand where the pressures our children are facing come from. And we we need to reduce them and control them to create an environment so that our children grow up with a spirit of welcoming guests and being well-received.”

Explaining his statement, he added, “One of the things we know is that stress is much easier to deal with – stress in general, is much easier to deal with when We have the support of the community around us. Loneliness and isolation are a huge problem in the United States and around the world.”

SUICIDE – THE WORST DISEASE, THE WORLD’S EPIDEMIC

Commenting on the rising number of suicides worldwide, the Doctor-General said: “Suicide is one of the most devastating of all mental health problems we face. you too today. any parent to deal with.”

He went on to explain that “Suicide rates have increased dramatically worldwide in the last two decades.” This, he says, is due to several reasons:

1. Loneliness has become a serious issue among children. It affects all citizens, but it hits young people the hardest. It is now a global epidemic.
2. The impact of violence and the fear of violence – More than 50 percent of children in the US are now afraid of being shot at school.
3. Negative news and mobile phones – Many children today have or have access to smartphones that are constantly buzzing with negative and violent topics that make them feel that their lives and future are bleak because nothing good is happening in the world.
4. In particular, Technology and Social Media – Children, on average, spend more than 3 hours a day on social media. By doing so, they face the double risk of depression and anxiety. It’s one of the many reasons we have to deal with the dangers of social media.

‘WE ARE REALLY A COMMUNITY’

Social media algorithms are what make this platform so addictive. These algorithms have a direct impact on the brain and the hormones it secretes. But there are no rules to keep these algorithms. While even smoking or drinking have their own rules not to pose a risk to the public, social media firms have no such rules to oblige them to use their algorithms properly. you don’t choose.

Describing the challenges faced in combating the dangers of social media, the Surgeon General said, “Over the last 20 years that social media has existed, we have largely failed as community to ensure that social media companies meet security standards.”

Giving an example of the vehicles, Vice Admiral Murthy explained that “The vehicles have a basic level of safety and condition. These standards ensure that the brakes work, the seat belts and the engine are in good condition , the frame of the car works well. etc. it protects the people in the car, but now we have anything like that, especially in the US, when it comes to checking and balancing the media. of public affairs.

“The whole burden of checks and balances for social media is entirely on children and parents. That’s not only unfair, it’s useless, and we can see that from what it’s like today , “he said.