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Other Resources for Social Health
Social Health Books
Youth of the Nation is not another book written by casual observers or researchers attempting to create solutions based upon shocking statistics surrounding the youth mental health crisis in our country. This book provides a tangible solution to the crisis. David, a high school teacher & licensed therapist, shares what he has created with the help of thousands of teenagers and why we need a K- 12 Social Health Curriculum.
― David Kozlowski, Youth of the Nation: Youth Suicide is a Social Health Problem with Serious Mental Health Side Effects
Relationships not only make us happier, but also are critical to our overall health and longevity. Research shows that people with a strong sense of belonging are 2.6 times more likely to report good or excellent health. Perhaps even more astonishingly, people who lack social support are up to 53% more likely to die from any cause. Yet social health has been overlooked and underappreciated—until now.
― Kasley Killam, The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier
Studies Highlighting The Importance of Relationships
Harvard’s 85-Year Study on Adult Development
Since 1938, the Harvard Study of Adult Development has tracked the lives of 724 individuals to identify factors contributing to happiness and health. The research reveals that strong social connections are crucial for well-being, while loneliness can negatively impact health. Participants with robust relationships experienced greater happiness, better health, and increased longevity. The study emphasizes that “social fitness”—the active maintenance of healthy relationships—is as vital as physical fitness.
Both studies underscore the profound impact of relationships on mental and physical health across different life stages.
BYU, Johns Hopkins, and Harvard Study on Teen Suicide Risk Factors
Researchers from Brigham Young University, Johns Hopkins University, and Harvard University developed an algorithm capable of predicting suicidal thoughts and behaviors among adolescents with 91% accuracy. The study identified key risk factors, notably online harassment, bullying, and high family tension. Three of the top ten predictors included families experiencing serious arguments, repetitive conflicts, and verbal aggression. These findings underscore the critical role of healthy peer and family relationships in adolescent mental health.
Others Containing Social Health Principals
“To end loneliness, you need other people—plus something else. You also need, he explained to me, to feel you are sharing something with the other person, or the group, that is meaningful to both of you. You have to be in it together—and “it” can be anything that you both think has meaning and value.”
― Johann Hari, Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions
“Living for others is such a relief from the impossible task of trying to satisfy oneself.” “We intuitively believe social and physical pain are radically different kinds of experiences, yet the way our brains treat them suggest that they are more similar than we imagine.”
― Matthew D. Lieberman, Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect
“If you’re surrounded by a tightly connected circle of friends who regularly gather to eat and {talk about what matters}, you’ll not only have fun but you’re also likely to live an average of fifteen years longer than a loner.”
― Susan Pinker, The Village Effect: How Face-to-Face Contact Can Make Us Healthier, Happier, and Smarter
“Human beings need three basic things in order to be content: they need to feel competent at what they do; they need to feel authentic in their lives; and they need to feel connected to others. These values are considered "intrinsic" to human happiness and far outweigh "extrinsic" values such as beauty, money and status.”
― Sebastian Junger, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging
“Implementing Extreme Ownership requires checking your ego and operating with a high degree of humility. Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team.”
― Jocko Willink & Leif Babin, Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win