Few things evoke a visceral comfort response in people of all ages like the colorful characters of Sesame Street. Millions of us grew up with Elmo, Big Bird, Bert & Ernie, Grover, Oscar the Grouch and the rest, and have nothing but warm, positive memories associated with them.
So when Elmo asked all the grownups on X to how they were doing, it triggered a deluge that spoke to people’s need to share their mental and emotional struggles as well as the safe place Sesame Street has been for generations.
It all began with a simple question: “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?”
Elmo surely did not expect thousands upon thousands of people to dump their emotional loads on him like they were in a therapy session, but that’s exactly what happened.
@elmo Elmo we are tired
Not only did people respond that they were tired—a common refrain—but they also shared about the deaths of loved ones, their relationship struggles, jobs they’d been laid off from, their feelings of despair and depression. Clearly, some people needed a place to put their woes, and who better to receive them than a beloved childhood character who we know understands and accepts us unconditionally?
To Sesame Street’s credit, they handled the trauma dump as best a fictional world filled with fictional characters possibly could. After the initial post’s impact, Elmo 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.” Elmo added the hashtag #EmotionalWellBeing.
And then the other Sesame Street characters started chiming in.
One by one, all perfectly in character, the Sesame Street crew showed up on their respective accounts to offer their support, all using the #EmotionalWellBeing hashtag.
“I’m here if you ever need a shoulder to lean on. I’ll make us both a warm cup of tea,” wrote Bert.
“If you need some cheering up, let me know! I love making others smile,” wrote Ernie.
“Me here to talk it out whenever you want. Me will also supply cookies,” wrote Cookie Monster.
“I, Grover, am here to be a good listener whenever you need it,” wrote Grover.
Even Oscar the Grouch weighed in with some honesty and support. “I’m not great at listening to other share their big feelings, but my worm Slimey is. You should talk with him if you ever need to chat.”
Yes, it’s silly. But it’s also not, because Sesame Street truly has been a lifeline for countless kids who found solace, support and celebration of themselves in those beloved characters, sometimes even more than they found at home.
The main Sesame Street account also shared a link to mental health resources.
But the wave of support and words of kindness and understanding didn’t stay confined to Sesame Street. All kinds of big accounts, from NASA and the United Nations to Xbox and Verizon—even the President of the United States himself—weighed in with gratitude for Elmo checking in and reminders that we’re all making our way through this life together.
@elmo Thanks for checking in @Elmo. Reminding you all that you are made of star stuff. u2728
Does it get more wholesome than NASA reminding us we’re made of stardust?
I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days.nnOur 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.nnEven though it’s hard, you’re never alone.
The entire phenomenon was a testament to the enduring influence of Sesame Street, but also a good reminder to check in with people once in a while. You never know who might need to offload some emotional weight, and as cathartic as it might feel to drop it all on a beloved icon like Elmo, nothing compares to a real-life friend who offers a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
Thank you for the inspiration, Sesame Street creators. Still managing to nurture the children within us, all these years later.