AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy arrived at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday as part of his national “We Are Made to Connect” college tour.

He joined in a conversation with actor and UT Austin Professor Matthew McConaughey on the importance of social connection to our mental and physical health.

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As part of the event, Dr. Murthy issued a 5-for-5 Connection Challenge to students: take five actions for five days that express gratitude, offer support, or ask for help from people in their lives.

These actions are outlined in Dr. Murthy’s Advisory on Our Epidemic of Loneliness as ways that people can catalyze social connection, which can advance physical, mental, and cognitive health, and is even associated with a decreased risk of mortality.

The “We Are Made to Connect” Tour is part of the Biden Administration’s efforts to tackle the mental health crisis.