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A simple query from Elmo the Muppet sparked an avalanche of online angst
People responded with confessions of existential dread.
But Elmo’s question also started a conversation about mental health.
cnn
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Generally, when someone asks “How are you”, you don’t actually tell them how you are.
Without this piece of common etiquette, we would be immobilized for hours by lazy acquaintances delivering monologues of crushing boredom. We would entrap cashiers, bank tellers, parking lot attendants, and co-workers with stories of our deepest fears and our minor bodily ailments. The world would come to a standstill as we shed our shells to remain naked and vulnerable in our truth.
When Elmo posted a kind-hearted comment this week on X, formally known as Twitter, he may have assumed these social customs would protect him. But he comes from “Sesame Street,” which is no place for lies.
“Elmo just checked in!” he wrote. “How’s everybody?”
Thousands of responses and a few interventions from his “Sesame Street” friends later, and it was pretty clear: People aren’t doing well, Elmo!
It is not surprising. The world is experiencing a devastating war in Ukraine, possible famine in Gaza, and a seemingly endless pace of mass shootings in the United States. Many young Americans are fighting anxiety and depression while the country faces a well-documented mental health crisis. And in many places we are in the middle of a cold, dark winter.
The tone of the responses to Elmo reflects a lot of that, and some welcome dark humor in venting at a blurry puppet. Elmo’s consultation also sparked some moving conversations about emotional health and the importance of talking to friends.
The answers to Elmo’s harmless question should be set in stone so future generations can know exactly how we feel in 2024.
“Elmo every day the abyss we look at A unique horror grows. one that was previously unfathomable in nature. Our inevitable doom, once accelerated by years or months, now accelerates by hours, even minutes. However, I had a nice grapefruit before, thanks for asking..”
“Every morning, I can’t wait to go back to sleep. Every Monday I can’t wait for Friday to arrive. Every day and every week for life..”
“elmo I’m depressed and broke.”
“I’m at my lowest point, thanks for asking.”
“elmo I have to be honest with you baby, we are fighting for our lives.”
And one of the most brutally honest answers:
“Elmo, I’m going to be real. I’m at my fucking limit..”
After a few hours of people throwing trauma at the Muppets, the official “Sesame Street” account called time with a follow up post Direct people to, yes, really, mental health resources.
EITHER, like someone else in x He said, “I’m sorry Elmo, but this is above Elmo’s pay grade.”
Probably sensing that the situation had an equal chance of improving or dissolving in quick order, other members of the “Sesame Street” gang intervened. Cookie MonsterSnuffleupagus and others thanked Elmo for being a good friend and offered their own blurry ears to anyone who needs to talk.
“Wow! Elmo is glad he asked,” Elmo posted. less than two days later, using the most rhetorically charged “wow” imaginable. “Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how he or she is doing.”
It might seem like a joke. Look at us, placing our fears on the furry feet of a beloved children’s character! Surely there is nothing more to examine here.
Except, after the clouds of irony and dark humor passed, something extraordinary happened: people started thanking Elmo and his friends for asking, and talking about it. what it means to feel safe and understood in a time when so many things are dangerous and confusing.
Katherine Tarletonlicensed therapist in South Carolina, says trustworthy characters like Elmo create a safe environment in which difficult conversations feel a little easier.
“They have a sense of emotional security because they have a perception of innocence,” he told CNN. “They take us back to childhood, when at least some things were easier. Even if you had a difficult childhood, some parts were even easier because you didn’t know everything that was going on.”
Beloved children’s shows like “Sesame Street” also focus on emotional well-being in a way that may feel uncomfortable or strange to us as we age.
“I see a lot of adults gravitating toward children’s programs because it can teach them how to deal with their emotions in a way that maybe they hadn’t been exposed to when they were younger,” Tarleton says. “I love that this exchange with Elmo has created a cultural space where it’s okay to say you’re not okay.”
While access to mental health resources is a critical part of emotional well-being, sometimes the best thing one can do right now is simply talk to a friend. They may not be a compassionate puppet, but they can help.
Tarleton has some tips for tackling difficult topics and being a good listener:
do something together. If just sitting and unloading sounds too intense, Tarleton suggests doing an activity together, like playing games or cooking. “That gives you a secondary action and gives you the space to gauge your responses and recover if things become too much,” he says.
Be all ears. If someone comes to you with an emotional baggage, Tarleton says it’s a good idea to put aside your own worries so you can be 100% in tune with them. “A lot of people tend to want to exchange their emotional concerns, but it helps keep things very focused. Sit down and say, “I see you are opening up to me.” Let’s do this for you.’”
Be brave. “The first step is the hardest part,” Tarleton says. “If you are afraid of being judged, try to look at it from the other side. If you were in the opposite position and your friend came towards you, would you want him to be scared? No.”
Government and non-profit organizations in the USA and the United Kingdom have multiple resources for mental health support, such as specialized helplines and treatment locators.
If you face financial or insurance barriers, several organizations have people like you in mind, including Mental Health America.
If you think you or someone you know is at risk for suicide, the trained counselors at 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, who are available 24/7, may be able to help you. Call 988 or 800-273-8255 (TALK). He International Association for Suicide Prevention and Friends all over the world Provide contact information for crisis centers around the world.
If you’re ready to find a therapist, Here are some tips about choosing the one that is best for you, including a list of specialized databases.
And remember, it’s okay to feel bad. It’s okay to cry too… It’s even healthy. As Elmo’s journey toward our collective emotional well-being demonstrates, a little courage and a little trust can lead to healing conversations.