STAT July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON — When Elmo asked “How is everybody doing?” back in January, he was not expecting the onslaught of stress, despair, and anxiety that hit his replies.
“I’m just looking for somebody to talk to and show me some love if you know what I mean,” famous singer T-Pain wrote back to the red Muppet.
“Elmo I’m gonna be real I am at my f—ing limit,” wrote another user. Elmo’s tweet racked up more than 100,000 responses.
The perennially 3 1/2-year-old Muppet was a bit overwhelmed, but characteristically supportive, Sesame Workshop’s Jeanette Betancourt, senior vice president for U.S. social impact, told educators and therapists during a May presentation on mental health awareness at the Rockville, Md., headquarters of the Substance...