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.
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