World Mental Health Day - MHTN

Elmo’s Mental Health Message: Good Intentions, Mixed Results? 

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KEY POINTS

Sesame Street’s new mental health PSA featuring Elmo has sparked a debate. In “Psychology Behind the Headlines,” host Jessica Reyes and guest therapist Ryan Heapy weighs in on the potential pros and cons of well-meaning mental health campaigns and whether they could have unintended consequences.

The Power of Awareness

PSAs like Elmo’s bring mental health to the forefront, which can be helpful. However, raising awareness alone might not be enough.

Beyond Buzzwords

Constantly asking “Are you okay?” without providing tools to cope with difficult emotions can be less helpful and could even increase anxiety.

Age Matters

Teaching very young children about complex concepts like trauma might not be age-appropriate and could cause confusion.

Editorial Team
Editorial Teamhttps://mhtn.org/
At the heart of MHTN - America's pioneering 24/7 Mental Health TV Network - is our editorial team, a dynamic group of professionals united by a shared commitment to transforming the conversation around mental health. Our team is composed of seasoned journalists, mental health experts, researchers, and storytellers, each bringing a wealth of experience and a passion for advocacy.

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