ELMO ASKS X HOW WE’RE DOING AND WE ARE NOT OKAY.
Written by Ballzer on February 1, 2024
What seemed like a random tweet from a child Muppet turned into a real conversation about the state of our collective mental health. Earlier this week, Sesame Street’s Elmo just wanted to check in:
Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?
— Elmo (@elmo) January 29, 2024
Turns out, users on X, formerly Twitter, were quick to openly admit that they’re struggling. So many Tweets were filled with vulnerable posts about loss and suffering. The outpouring prompted a follow-up from Elmo and Sesame Street’s official account shared some important mental health resources.
Mental health is health! For #EmotionalWellBeing resources and more, visit @SesameWorkshop: https://t.co/yKqps8aEy2 https://t.co/iw5gpFfUYy
— Sesame Street (@sesamestreet) January 30, 2024
There were a lot of people who shared that their day was going well and wished Elmo the same but certainly an alarming number of users that were not in a good headspace. And a few folks had some of each:
Elmo each day the abyss we stare into grows a unique horror. one that was previously unfathomable in nature. our inevitable doom which once accelerated in years, or months, now accelerates in hours, even minutes.
— Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad) January 29, 2024
however I did have a good grapefruit earlier, thank you for asking https://t.co/svATFv7ek8
Even President Biden chimed in to remind us we are not alone:
I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days.
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 31, 2024
Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbor in need, and above all else, ask for help when we need it.
Even though it's hard, you're never alone. https://t.co/ffMJekbowo
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health issues, it’s okay to ask for help. Often times, it is necessary. There are online and national resources, like Better Help, Talkspace, and the
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 1-800-985-5990
Local resources include La Crosse County Mental Health Services, La Crosse Suicide Prevention Initiative, Great Rivers 211, and Tellurian’s La Crosse CARE House.
In addition to traditional counseling, for the past year or so, I’ve been using the Headspace app for assistance with guided meditation and I like it. I’ve also heard wonderful things about Calm. Just some ideas for what’s been helping me manage my mental health and certainly something to look into adding to your mental health maintenence if you’re interested.
Feature image: Victoria Will/AP
