A Surgeon General’s Advisory is a public statement that calls the American people’s attention to an urgent public health issue and provides recommendations for how it should be addressed. Advisories are reserved for significant public health challenges that need the nation’s immediate awareness and action.
This Advisory offers recommendations for supporting the mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults. While many of these recommendations apply to most individuals, the reality is that people have varying degrees of control over their circumstances. As a result, not all recommendations will be feasible for everyone.
That’s why systemic change is essential. The Advisory includes essential recommendations for the institutions that surround young people and shape their day-to-day lives—schools, community organizations, health care systems, technology companies, media, funders and foundations, employers, and government. They all have an important role to play in supporting the mental health of children and youth.
For additional background and to read other Surgeon General’s Advisories, visit SurgeonGeneral.gov.
