‘Sesame Street’ Steps In After People Keep Trauma-Dumping On 3-Year-Old Elmo
Image via Elmo
When Elmo, the beloved red monster from Sesame Street, innocently asked on X (formerly Twitter, “How is everybody doing?” he probably wasn’t expecting to open a floodgate of emotions. But that’s exactly what happened.
This simple check-in quickly spiraled beyond belief, with the character soaring to number one on the platform as users poured—and we mean poured—their hearts out in response. From existential dread to personal crises, the replies were a poignant reminder of the collective struggles many face daily.
The world is burning around us, Elmo. pic.twitter.com/c3swrzHWYY
— Steven (@StevenMcinerney) January 29, 2024
Comments ranged from the humorous to the heartbreakingly honest, with several confessing to existential dread and others lamenting personal losses and job dissatisfaction.
“Elmo, I’m suffering from existential dread over here,” one fan wrote back. “Not good, Elmo. Not good,” said another.
“Wife left me, daughters don’t respect me, my job is a joke,” one person replied.
“Oscar was right,” relayed another.
Thousands showcased a raw and unfiltered look into their lives in the face of a three-year-old monster. Needless to say, the Sesame Street team felt compelled to step in and lend a helping hand.
The show pointed those in distress toward mental health resources provided by Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being and the power of asking for help.
Thank you, @Elmo, for checking in with a reminder for us to pause and take a mindful moment to focus on how we’re feeling. For #EmotionalWellbeing resources and more, visit @SesameWorkshop:https://t.co/sNuUmq73i5 https://t.co/CkooNXI11L
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) January 29, 2024
Even though this level of trauma-dumping would overwhelm even the most professional of adults, Elmo kept his head up and expressed his appreciation to audiences for opening up.
“Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you,” the account posted.
Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check in again soon, friends! Elmo loves you.â¤ï¸ #EmotionalWellBeing pic.twitter.com/jhn2LNKfHf
— Elmo (@elmo) January 30, 2024
Even though things kind of got out of hand, this incident—to the sound of over 172 million views—shows the unexpected ways social media can bridge connections and play in fostering discussions about mental health.
Elmo’s viral tweet has become pretty much a catalyst for action, reminding us all of the power of asking, “How are you?”
[via Hollywood Reporter, The Messenger, NBC News, images via various sources]
