Story highlights
A simple question by Elmo the Muppet sparks an outburst of anger online
People reacted with confessions of existential fear
But Elmo's question also started a conversation about mental health
CNN
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Typically, when someone asks “how are you,” they don't actually tell you how they're doing.
Without this common etiquette, we would be stuck in place for hours on end, spinning ennui monologues that would leave vague acquaintances crushed. We ensnared cashiers, bank tellers, parking lot attendants, and co-workers with stories of our deepest fears and minor physical ailments. The world will stop when we shed our shells and stand naked and vulnerable in our truth.
When Elmo posted a kind check-in on X (formally known as Twitter) this week, he may have thought these social conventions would protect him. However, he is from “Sesame Street” where lies are not tolerated.
“Elmo is just checking in!” he wrote. “How is everyone?”
Thousands of replies and several interventions later from the “Sesame Street” crew, but it was clear that people weren't feeling well, Elmo!
That's not surprising. The world is experiencing a raging war in Ukraine, potential famine in Gaza, and a never-ending drumbeat of mass shootings in the United States. As the country faces a well-documented mental health crisis, many young Americans are struggling with anxiety and depression. And in many places we are in the midst of a cold, dark winter.
The gist of reactions to Elmo reflects much of that, with some people embracing the fluffy doll and welcoming the dark humor. Elmo's questions also led to heartwarming conversations about mental health and the importance of staying in touch with friends.
The answers to Elmo's innocuous questions should be carved in stone so that future generations will know exactly how we felt in 2024.
“Elmo The abyss we stare at every day It creates a unique kind of fear. of a hitherto incalculable nature. Our inevitable ruin, which once accelerated in years or even months, now accelerates in hours or even minutes.But I ate some delicious grapefruit earlier, thank you for asking.”
“Every morning, I can't wait to sleep again. Every Monday I can't wait for Friday to arrive.Every day and every week for the rest of your life”
“elmo I'm depressed and broken”
“I'm at my lowest, thank you for asking”
“elmo I have to be your equal, baby, we're fighting for our lives”
And one of the most brutally honest answers is:
“Elmo, I'm getting real, I'm at my limit.”
After hours of people venting their traumas to the Muppets, the official Sesame Street account issued a call: follow up post Directing people to, yes, really, mental health resources.
or As another person of X “Elmo, I'm sorry, but this is above Elmo's pay grade.”
Other members of the “Sesame Street” gang chimed in, perhaps sensing that the situation was equally likely to improve quickly or disband. big bird, cookie monsterSnuffleupagus and his friends thank Elmo for their good friend, They provided their own fuzzy listening ears For those who need to talk.
“Oh! Elmo is glad I asked him,” Elmo posted. In less than two days, employing the most rhetorical “wow” imaginable. “Elmo learned that it's important to ask his friends how they're doing.''
It may sound like a joke. Look at us being horrified by the hairy feet of our beloved children's characters. Indeed, there is nothing else to look into here.
However, once the cloud of sarcasm and black humor passed, something surprising happened. People began to ask Elmo and his friends questions and thank them for their stories. What does it mean to be at ease? And understood at a time when many things are dangerous and confusing.
Katherine Tarleton, a certified therapist in South Carolina, says trustworthy characters like Elmo can create a safe environment that makes difficult conversations feel a little easier.
“They have a sense of security because of the knowledge that they are innocent,” she told CNN. “They take us back to childhood, when at least some things were easy. It was still easy.”
Popular children's shows like “Sesame Street” also focus on mental well-being in ways that can feel uncomfortable or alien as we grow older.
“I see a lot of adults drawn to children's shows because they can teach adults how to deal with their emotions in a way they didn't have the opportunity to experience when they were younger. ,” Tarleton said. “I love that this interaction with Elmo created a cultural space where it’s okay to say you’re not okay.”
Accessing mental health resources is an important part of your mental health, but sometimes the best thing you can do right now is simply tell a friend. They may not be caring puppets, but they can help.
Tarleton offers advice for tackling difficult topics and becoming a better listener:
do something together. If just sitting down and unpacking seems too stressful, Tarleton suggests doing an activity together, like playing games or cooking. “That gives you a second line of action and gives you space to gauge your reactions and recover if things go too far,” she says.
please listen. If someone comes to you with an emotional burden, Tarleton says it's a good idea to put aside your own concerns and allow yourself to be 100% attuned to the person. “A lot of people tend to want to exchange emotional concerns, but that helps keep things very focused. It's easy to sit down and say, 'I see that you're opening up to me. ” Let's say. Let me do this for you. ”
Be brave. “The first step is the hardest part,” Tarleton says. “If you're afraid of being judged, try looking at it from the other side. If you were on the other side and a friend came up to you, would you want to scare your friend? No.”
Governments and nonprofit organizations in the United States and United Kingdom have multiple resources to support mental health, including specialized helplines and treatment-finding services.
If you're facing insurance or financial barriers, several organizations have people like you in mind, including Mental Health America.
If you think you or someone you know is at risk of suicide, the trained counselors at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7/365, can help. Call 988 or 800-273-8255 (toll-free). The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Associations Worldwide provide contact information for crisis centers around the world.
If you're ready to find a therapist, here are some tips for choosing the best one for you, including a list of professional databases.
And remember, it's okay to feel bad. It's okay to cry. It's also good for your health. As Elmo's journey to our collective spiritual well-being proves, a little courage and a little trust can lead to healing conversations.