Surgeons General Discuss Mental Health and Wellness
U . S . Surgeon General Vivek Murthy , MD , and his seven living predecessors joined in a rare panel at Dartmouth on 9 / 28 / 2023 to discuss ways to address the national mental health crisis .
In a wide-ranging conversation in which several of the participants spoke movingly of the impact of mental illness and addiction in their own families , Murthy — who was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2021 after first serving in the role during the Obama administration — called the growing sense of disconnection , distrust , and loneliness in society “ a moral crisis .”
The historic meeting on the Future of Mental Health and Wellness was the first time in 25 years that all the living surgeons general past and present have convened in one place around a common purpose ( David Satcher , MD , PhD , contributed a video statement ). The conversation was moderated by CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta , MD , a neurosurgeon and associate professor at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta .
Satcher called for the creation of “ a balanced community health system ”— a system of care that goes beyond treating illness to promoting health , is tailored to the needs of diverse individuals , and that helps remove financial barriers and social stigmas from those seeking mental health care .
Antonia Coello Novello , MD , a pediatric nephrologist appointed by President George H . W . Bush as the first woman to serve as surgeon general , described the mental health crisis among health care providers themselves , which she described as a systemic problem that is driving practitioners from the profession and hampering their ability to give patients the best care .
As surgeon general appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009 , Regina Benjamin , MD , a specialist in family medicine , issued a report on suicide prevention .
“ At that time , 150 people were dying
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of suicide every day , and it hasn ’ t gotten any better . That ’ s a small regional jet going down ,” said Benjamin , a specialist in family medicine who runs a rural family practice in Alabama .
Richard Carmona , MD — a surgeon and Vietnam veteran appointed by President George W . Bush in 2006 — made the connection between political dysfunction and mental health and well-being : “ We as surgeons general always have to understand the extraordinary privilege we have to be truth tellers . Often the challenge for us is telling inconvenient truths to politicians .”
SOURCE : Hannah Silverstein , Dartmouth News , 9 / 28 / 2023 / bit . ly / 46pCcL8
Suicide Deaths Increased in 2021 and 2022 in the U . S .
After declining in 2019 and 2020 , suicide deaths increased approximately 5 percent in the United States in 2021 . Suicide deaths further increased in 2022 , rising from 48,183 deaths in 2021 to an estimated 49,449 deaths in 2022 , an increase of approximately 2.6 percent . However , two groups did see a decline in numbers , American Indian and Alaska Native people ( down 6.1 %) and people 10 – 24 years old ( down 8.4 %).
“ Today ’ s report underscores the depths of the devastating mental health crisis in America . Mental health has become the defining public health and societal challenge of our time . Far too many people and their families are suffering and feeling alone ,” said U . S . Surgeon General Vivek Murthy , MD , MBA .
“ These numbers are a sobering reminder of how urgent it is that we further expand access to mental health care , address the root causes of mental health struggles , and recognize the importance of checking on and supporting one another .”
SOURCE : CDC Newsroom , 8 / 10 / 2023 / bit . ly / 3MOn82W
It ’ s Been a Year Since the U . S . Launched the 988 Suicide Hotline — And 86 % of Americans Don ’ t Know It
“ The three-digit suicide prevention hotline number launched last year by the U . S . government is unknown to a vast majority of the population , a new YouGov poll showed this week , even as the American suicide rate has increased 30 percent over the last 20 years .”
SOURCE : Mary Whitfill Roeloffs , Forbes Staff / 7 / 19 / 2023 / bit . ly / 3MKGmq3
‘ Gimme a Break !’ Biden Blasts Insurance Hassles for Mental Health Treatment
“ If you break your arm , you go to the doctor , your insurance ( usually ) pays . Why is it so much harder to get health insurance to pick up the tab if you have a mental health breakdown ?
SOURCE : Yuki Noguchi , NPR / July 26 , 2023 / https :// bit . ly / 3R5PRCS
The 7Advocate The Advocate Magazine Magazine 2023 , Issue 2023 # 2 , Issue American # 2 American Mental Health Mental Counselors Health Counselors Association Association ( AMHCA () AMHCA www ). amhca www . org . amhca 77 . org