Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy speaks with an audience member after a Bright Spots conversation series about mental health event on March 3, 2023, at Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora.
Too often, it seems that as faith leaders we seem to ignore many policy statements by high-level political appointees because they are so diametrically opposed to our Judeo-Christian values. As a result, we simply refuse to even acknowledge or consider them.
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy released a public health advisory last year stating the lockdowns and isolation during the pandemic have led to serious mental health issues highlighted by hopelessness, anxiety and isolation.
Dr. Murthy warned that we have become disconnected from one of the major sources of deep and significant social connections: church attendance.
This is a very startling warning, particularly coming from the government that imposed the separation and isolation restrictions during the pandemic. After all, it was the government which closed our churches and restricted church attendance! The effects on church sustainability are still being felt today.
Keep in mind, a surgeon general's advisory and health advisories "are reserved for significant public health challenges that need the nation's immediate awareness and action."
We must acknowledge the critically serious issues related to "the after affects of the pandemic" and how the lockdown and subsequent isolation restrictions have led to the unexpected consequences of our mental health crisis.
The latest health advisories from the surgeon general did propose very significant solutions, which hardly received any exposure in the general news media or social media, much less in our churches.
Dr. Murthy has made the case why church attendance or gathering together is not only good for our mental health but also for our general physical health.
The surgeon general's report stated, "Religious or faith-based groups can be a source for regular social contact, serve as a community of support, provide meaning and purpose, create a sense of belonging around shared values and beliefs, and are associated with reduced risk-taking behaviors. As a consequence of this decline in participation, individuals' health may be undermined in different ways."
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Depression, anxiety, loneliness, and so many other personal health symptoms have caused serious cases affecting the safety and well-being of thousands of innocent members because of our mental health dilemma.
Every day we read about violent persons who have rejected mental health care and still roam sidewalks, subways, businesses and parks, attacking individuals at will.
It appears the perpetrators of these attacks or violent crimes, who may be driven by mental illness, often do not face any serious ramifications for their acts of violence and often, even murder.
According to the surgeon general's health advisory, church membership and participation are important keys to reversing this trend. That is particularly so as we face a crisis among our young people, who are caught in "the insoluble dilemma of adolescence," isolation and excessive screen time on social media, and who seemingly are lost in a worldly culture of idolatry and egotism.
We must do more to reinforce the fact church association and worshipping together are a critical building block.
"Membership in organizations that have been important pillars of community connection have declined significantly," Dr. Murthy said, including "faith organizations."
We must stress the importance of why assembling in our churches is another means of breaking the cycle of isolation. Keep in mind, this advice is coming from the government -- for once, agreeing with the Bible!
It is up to religious leaders and pastors to take the lead as contributing members of our society attempting to address the mental health crisis we face.
Rev. Fidel "Butch" Montoya is a pastor and executive director of the para-church organization, National Latino Faith Initiative, whose mission is to help faith leaders confront and resolve issues and problems in a rapidly changing society. Montoya served as Denver's public safety director 1994-2000 and as deputy mayor 1996-2000 during the administration of Mayor Wellington Webb.