In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, what if there were a way to reduce our and others' risk of death by 50 percent in any given year, regardless of our age, sex or initial health status? How much would you give to have it? What if it were free?
There has been plenty of coverage and commentary about the tragedy. But how many have discussed what each of us can do to reduce the possibility of this happening in the future?
Research points the way. We can form stronger bonds with our friends. And reach out to strangers.
Doctors and psychologists are becoming more and more aware that human beings need positive relationships with others nearly as much as they need food to survive.
After World War II, scientists studied children raised in Eastern European orphanages who were adequately fed and changed regularly, but received little to no personal affection or attention. They often died. Of those who did not perish, many were psychologically and emotionally stunted for life. What doctors and scientists have found since then is that the same is largely true for older children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens.
A 1998 study from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor found a relative lack of social relationships creates health-risk factors similar to the effects of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, physical obesity or lack of physical activity.
Of course, everyone dies sometime. This study explains that -- given the risk factors in peoples' lives, such as their age, weight, illnesses and physical activity level -- they are half as likely to die in any given year if they have several healthy relationships, compared with people with similar lifestyles who do not have close friendships.
What is true for physical health also seems to be true for mental health. Researchers have found that healthy relationships reduce our levels of stress, reduce severity and rates of depression, reduce the rate and severity of post traumatic stress disorder and increase the likelihood of having a positive outlook. My work with sometimes-troubled teens confirms this.
No one has the power to keep guns away from everyone who would use them on innocent people. No one person has the power to keep violent media from impressionable minds. But each of us does have the power to reach out. Unquestionably, when we connect with friends, we improve their lives and our own. Every single young man who committed mass murder over the past few years had a mental illness. We will never know what would have happened if someone had reached out to them before they acted. But we can reach out to others today.
Imagine if we started a movement to do this. We have seen what happens when we crowd-source information; we create the likes of Wikipedia. We have seen crowd-funding change the world through initiatives like Kiva and Kickstarter. Now, we need to work together to make our own neighborhoods, schools and workplaces stronger, safer, saner places. We don't need to wait for companies or politicians to change. We can help shape our own future. Let's get started.