U.S. Surgeon General To Visit Hampton University For National College Tour on Mental Health, Community, and Connection

Written By Hampton University

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy heads to Hampton University for the final stop of his national “We Are Made to Connect” Tour. He will be in conversation with actor and mental health advocate Da’Vinchi (Starz’s “BMF” and CW’s “All American”) to discuss the importance of social connection to our mental and physical health.

As a part of the event, Dr. Murthy will issue a 5-for-5 Connection Challenge [u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net] to students, challenging them to take 5 actions for 5 days that express gratitude, offer support, or ask for help from people in their lives. These types of actions are outlined in the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness[u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net] as ways that people can catalyze social connection. As outlined in the Advisory, social connection can advance physical, mental, and cognitive health, and it is even associated with a decreased risk of mortality.

Actor Da’Vinchi can currently be seen starring on the hit Starz series “BMF,” produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.  He also starred on Freeform’s “Grown-ish,” and continues to recur on the hit CW series “All American.”  Da’Vinchi has successfully used his rising platform over the last two years to help shed a light on mental illness in black and brown communities. He started his Mental Health Awareness College Tour and has drawn thousands to hear him speak on the topic of the current mental health crisis that is overtaking our youth in America. He has recently teamed up with such organizations as McDonalds, American Family Insurance, Capital One and our nation’s top doctor, The U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy, to help shed light on this matter of national security in our country. With the rising suicide rates of young adults, and more and more young people being diagnosed with depression, loneliness and isolation, the Haitian born actor, Abraham D. Juste, found it to be his calling to speak about his own battles with the disease and to let people know they are not alone in their struggles and that they should not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help.