People across the internet are reeling this week after everyone’s childhood favorite, Elmo, posed a simple question on X (formerly Twitter): “How is everybody doing?”
The answer has been a resounding, “not well.”
The question, which was posted on Monday, quickly opened the floodgates for people across the internet to reveal that the state of their mental health was all around not okay.
“Elmo I’m suffering from existential dread over here,” a user replied.
“Every morning, I cannot wait to go back to sleep. Every Monday, I cannot wait for Friday to come,” another user wrote. “Every single day and every single week for life.”
The responses just kept coming, and it wasn’t long before the red-haired Muppet had unknowingly appointed himself as the internet’s most-needed therapist.
Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?
— Elmo (@elmo) January 29, 2024
“Elmo thank you for checking in on your friends,” one user wrote. “The world is a bit tough at the moment. Lack of services people need. The economy isn’t great for everyone. Multiple wars. But you have brought us much childhood joy we needed. Thank you. May we all become a little bit more like you.”
By Tuesday night, Elmo circled back with another message saying, “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. #EmotionalWellBeing.”
In an effort to care for the adults that have long loved Sesame Street, other Muppets characters chimed in with their support.
sesame street saw the replies to elmo’s tweet and had an all hands on deck SOS meeting to immediately launch an #EmotionalWellBeing campaign on all fronts pic.twitter.com/PPWz1wIcVN
— sam bedford (@sam_bedford) January 30, 2024
The Cookie Monster wrote, ”Me here to talk it out whenever you want. Me will also supply cookies. #EmotionalWellBeing”
Ernie’s best friend Bert added, “I’m here if you ever need a shoulder to lean on. I’ll make us both a warm cup of tea.”
Sesame Street even shared a link to mental health resources on its official X account, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
And it didn’t stop there. President Joe Biden praised Elmo’s efforts to support people’s emotional wellbeing saying, “”I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days,” the president wrote on X.
“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,” he continued. “Even though it’s hard, you’re never alone.”
I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days.
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
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 31, 2024
At the time of publication, Elmo’s original post had been viewed over 181 million times.
If you or someone you know needs a little extra help right now, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. 988 is confidential, free, and available 24/7/365.
