Elmo takes a turn as a therapist by asking, “How is everyone?” :NPR

At first glance, it might have seemed like a run-of-the-mill social media check-in: “How is everyone?”

But the message came from Elmo, the furry red friend of children, the Muppets, and everyone else. And Elmo is known, on Sesame Street and beyond, for his ability to care.

Then responses flooded X and Instagram, Threads and Facebook, and conversations were started on Reddit and elsewhere. People let off steam and Elmo took it all in. Only in X, elmo’s question received 180 million views as of midday Wednesday.

Responses to Elmo on Friday and Monday differ greatly

One of Elmo’s first log messages was posted on Threads, where Elmo asked last Friday how the people were.

“Just on my way to buy BALSAMIC VINIGUH,” was a popular response, to which Elmo responded, “Elmo hopes it’s delicious!”

“I’m fine! I hope you are too!” said another commenter, receiving the response: “Elmo loves you!”

Other notes wished everyone a happy Friday. But then the weekend was over. And when Elmo repeated his question on X and other platforms on Monday morning, things took a turn.

“It’s not right, Elmo, they raised the rent and everything, right now I’m going to live with you on Sesame Street”, Babygirl Whroway. he told Elmo on Facebook.

“Elmo would love that! #neighbors!” The Muppets responded.

“Elmo, I’m going through a hard time. I love you though,” meteorologist1213. said on Instagram.

“Elmo hopes you’re okay. Elmo loves you today and every day,” he responded.

In X, people conveyed litanies about personal and relationship problems and more general angst. They talked about being tired, broke, and unsure of how to improve things, and feeling disconnected from others.

As a user named Becky said about the massive responsepeople were “leaving such strong traumas on Elmo that the official Sesame Street account had to tweet out mental health resources,” adding, “God help us.”

A recurring theme also emerged, as adults commented on how affirming it was to connect with Elmo and his friends.

“All the love to the Sesame Street team for continuing to take care of all of us grown kids,” one commenter commented. wrote on Instagram. “We may be chronologically out of the demographic, but we never really left the street. Thank you.”

president biden heavy on tuesday afternoonstating: “Our friend Elmo is right: we have to be there for each other, offer our help to the neighbor in need and, above all, ask for help when we need it.”

Is Elmo a talented therapist?

In his answers this week (and let’s be honest, at most times since he was introduced in the 1980s), Elmo demonstrated that he exemplifies three of the most important attributes of a therapist, as defined by the The influential 20th century psychologist Carl Rogers.the driving force behind “person-centered” therapy.

Rogers’ list begins with congruence, that is, authenticity and authenticity: being real. The other two fundamental qualities of a therapist, he said, are acceptance that arises from unconditional positive regard and empathy that arises from understanding another person.

While Elmo hasn’t been able to respond to all the messages on his accounts, his responses are earning praise. Consider his response to a student on Instagram who I told him this week“I don’t want to go to class Elmo, I need words of encouragement.”

“You can do it! Try to make a new friend today!” Elmo told them. “That’ll make class more fun and you’ll be so excited to see them tomorrow!”

To that, another user responded, “Bro, that’s actually good advice lol.”

In many cases, commenters on the responses showed people sharing positive messages and practical advice with each other, encouraging people who are struggling to keep sharing and working to make things better.

They are words that we must all say and messages that we must hear. And in a short message, Elmo reminded us to take time for each other and listen.

“Wow! Elmo’s glad he asked!” elmo said Tuesdayas the answers to his question continued to come. “Elmo learned that it’s important to ask a friend how he or she is doing. Elmo will be in touch again soon, friends! Elmo loves you.❤ #Emotional well-being“.

Elmo has been there too.

The life of a Muppet may seem like an eternally happy mix of friends, music and community spirit, but Elmo has struggled. His honesty in facing challenges is part of what makes him so relatable to young children, who share his excitement about life’s novelties and his frustration when things don’t go his way.

Consider Elmo’s difficult relationship with Rocco, his friend Zoe’s famous (and in some quarters, infamous) pet. With his intense feelings, Elmo has not always shown patience in overcoming his friend’s attachment to an inanimate object. The video of a confrontation between friends in 2004 over a cookie reserved for Rocco went viral in recent years; the complex dynamics of it even provoked a Lacanian psychoanalysis.

“Has anyone ever seen a rock eat a cookie? Elmo is just curious.” Elmo tweeted in 2022, uncorking another front in the dispute. And once again, the red scoundrel’s message rang far beyond. Sesame Street brownstone houses.

“Yes, my friend,” actor Dwayne Johnson answered. “This Rock eats cookies. All kinds of cookies.” He added, “Tell Cookie Monster to move it, because I’m coming to Sesame Street to kick ass and eat cookies.”

For the record, that didn’t sit well with Cookie Monster, who doesn’t like to let things slide, especially if the things in question are cookies. The blue cookie enthusiast with enthusiasm accepted The challenge of The Rock.

While Elmo caused a new sensation by asking how people were, other famous people Sesame Street Residents also intervened. Cookie Monster made a particularly solid offer: “I’m here to talk about it anytime. I’ll also provide you with cookies.”

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.