top of page

Hidden Brain - A Social Prescription: Why Human Connection Is Crucial To Our Health

Writer: Vivek Murthy
Vivek Murthy
May 10, 2020
1 min read


Vivek Murthy was a newly-minted doctor when he realized that his thorough medical school education had fallen short. His training hadn't prepared him for one of the most frequent health issues he saw in the examination room: loneliness.


Vivek remembers feeling helpless when a patient recounted his sense of social isolation and the physical health problems linked to it. "I felt utterly ill-equipped to address what was clearly the issue that was on his mind," Vivek says.


Years later, when Vivek became the 19th Surgeon General of the United States, he witnessed a "dark thread of loneliness" in his conversations with Americans across the country. Loneliness, he realized, was more pervasive than he'd thought, and was bound up in other health issues in complicated ways. He calls loneliness "the great masquerader"; it often manifests as other emotions, such as anger, or through behaviors, such as drug or alcohol abuse.


3,322 Comments


parker36214
an hour ago

What interests me about learning water confidence step by step is how a broad idea becomes part of an ordinary day. A calm introduction to the water can matter as much as learning a particular swimming stroke. It also gives the phrase water confidence training a clearer meaning than a label on its own. I am more curious about the process than a polished result, because the steps in between are usually where questions appear. How can beginners recognise when they are ready for the next exercise?

Like

blogcmt2026
2 hours ago

Dạo này mình thấy nhiều người bàn về mấy nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến nên cũng tò mò ghé xem thử họ trình bày trang ra sao. Mình không có ý đào sâu từng nội dung hay từng trò, chỉ muốn nhìn cách họ sắp xếp danh mục và đưa thông tin lên cho dễ theo dõi. Khi lướt qua, mình có vào 789club để xem tổng thể, và cảm giác là các nhóm như thể thao, casino, game bài với slot được phân chia khá rành mạch, nhìn sơ là hiểu. Mình cũng để ý phần bảng dữ liệu được trình bày theo cột khá gọn, đỡ bị rối mắt.

Like

robertjohnson595
2 hours ago

A conversation about creating supportive relationships in education seems most useful to me when it leaves space for uncertainty and further questions. Being listened to can make it easier for a student to explain a difficulty before it grows. This is why I would approach student emotional support with a specific question rather than a fixed expectation. I am still thinking through the details, and a small example would help me picture how this works in practice. What helps a support conversation feel welcoming rather than intimidating?

Like

bướng bùi xuân
bướng bùi xuân
4 hours ago

Recently I had some free time, so I decided to try a new gaming website and initially planned to check only the design. When I entered, the layout looked clear enough, with the different sections arranged in a way that was easy to follow. While browsing the game list, I clicked on EEJL and noticed that the loading speed was stable. I tested several simple games and found the controls reasonably smooth, without obvious delays. That kind of experience works well for me when I just want some light entertainment.

Like

georgelewis6248
5 hours ago

I find introducing young readers to Baczynski's poetry easier to think about when there is a concrete question to start from. A single image in a poem can open a discussion about memory and personal experience. I would use that point as a starting question when considering Baczynski poetry education. A short discussion of an everyday example would make this easier for me to connect with, especially as someone still learning about the subject. Which classroom activities help students respond to poetry in their own words?

Like

© 2025 Dr. Vivek H. Murthy. All rights reserved.

  • Grey Instagram Icon
  • Grey Facebook Icon
  • X
bottom of page