“Hello, passengers,” Morgan says in his announcement. “My name is Morgan Calles, and I am 6 years old. I love trains and buses. Today, the M.T.A. is letting me share an important announcement: If you see someone at risk of falling onto the tracks, please get help immediately. Tell a police officer or an M.T.A. employee. Be safe and happy Autism Awareness Month.”

During the entire month of April, New York City subway riders were treated to public service announcements recorded by children with autism.  According to feedback from both subway riders and the children, it was a definite win-win experience.  Children with autism often have a special affinity for trains, intently focusing on the technical aspects of the trains, the schedules and maps, reports Jonathan Trichter, a founder of a school for children with developmental disabilities, who spearheaded the project.  The children were thrilled to hear their voices on the trains. And for the public, well, who wouldn’t crack a smile when hearing the joy in these young people’s voices.  Here, take a listen:

There is something about the authenticity of these announcements that touches me deeply.  The messages gently remind us that our society is made up of a wide variety of people, but that we all belong.  I imagine that subway car, full of people with all kinds of differences, chugging down the track together.  The person across from us may have autism. The person next to us may be homeless.  And the person next to her may have Parkinson’s disease.  We all have our unique identities and experiences, how wonderful it is to feel safe enough to announce it on the loudspeaker? To be offered acceptance, support, respect, and inclusion for being who we really are?

There is a large body of evidence regarding the importance for mental and physical health, as well as longevity, in having good social support.  But what is often overlooked is the key ingredient that makes social support protective.  It’s not just about having a lot of people in your life, or being popular.  In fact, some people have great social support, but only a few friends.  But the essence of social support is acceptance.  Supportive social connections are ones in which you can be vulnerable and authentic.  They’re the people with whom you don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not or live up to an expectation.  These people give you a positive self image and are people you can ask for help when you need it.  

Recently the US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, put out an advisory titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.”  In it he outlines the extraordinary costs in health, productivity, education, civic engagement, and more, of an increasing crisis of people struggling with loneliness.  He outlines the need for rebuilding social connection as a top public health priority.  According to research, one out of every two Americans is experiencing measurable levels of loneliness, a rate higher than any time measured before.  Dr. Vivek cites the breakdown of family structures, the decline in religious community involvement, isolating work environments, and increasingly atomized lifestyles as potential causes.  He writes, “and this is a time when so many people feel like we have to be a certain person to build a certain brand, to meet other people’s expectations.  I think to not be able to be who you are takes a real toll on people.”

And that clarifies for me the real public service provided by those young people with autism on the New York City Transit.  Yes, we should keep our arms and legs in the train when the doors close, we should pick up our litter and deposit it in the trash bins, and hold onto the hand rails, it’s true.   But in significant ways, these young voices announce not just the need for physical safety, but the importance of emotional safety.  They remind us of a vulnerability we all have in needing to belong and be accepted just as we are.  Awareness and acceptance are such powerful gifts we can offer someone.  It sets the stage for intimacy and authenticity, weaving our lives together in a resilient reciprocity of giving and receiving.  Maybe we can designate every month as Loneliness Awareness Month?