Unfounded fraud concerns are putting an effective mental health program at risk – Yahoo

Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared in 2023 that our newest epidemic is loneliness and isolation. While COVID-19 certainly impacted us, it’s not the only factor, and he recognized this as an issue prior to COVID.  His report quotes surveys that found that nearly half of all adults experienced loneliness, and rates were high among young adults. Among the shocking data: “The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.” People with mental illnesses experience loneliness at higher levels. Their symptoms may impact their ability to relate to others. The most serious mental illnesses emerge between 16-30. Young people often don’t know how to continue relationships with friends who develop these serious mental illnesses. They may be in and out of treatment programs, especially in the beginning of the illness, and lose touch with friends. Loneliness doesn’t just impact people’s mental health. People who are lonely have a 29% increase in risk of heart disease, 32% increase in risk of stroke, 55% greater risk of hospital readmission, higher rates of obesity, poor diabetes, and blood pressure management, and it’s a predictor of suicidal ideation.  On the flip
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