Elmo Checks In, and Everything's Not A-OK

Last year, a social media post on the “X” (formerly Twitter) account of Sesame Street’s beloved character Elmo unexpectedly went viral.

The post was simple and innocent: “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” But it elicited thousands of depressing responses — what some mental health professionals refer to as a “trauma dump.” A few examples:

“Not feeling too tickled about life right now, Elmo.”

“Elmo, I’m suffering from existential dread over here.”

“Elmo, my man, you been to the grocery store lately? I don’t know if you drive, but you filled up a gas tank?”

“Elmo I’m gonna be real, I am at my [expletive deleted] limit.”

In response to this barrage of pessimistic replies, one user wrote: “We need to start checking in on our friends. Thousands of people are telling Elmo that they’re depressed. Our friends are out here venting their sadness to an emotionally attentive Muppet.”

I confess, my first reaction to this was to feel annoyed at the popular tendency to broadcast our complaints on social media — in this case, in response to a post from a made-up children’s TV character. However, three other observations come to mind.

First, let this be a reminder that at least some of my friends, neighbors, coworkers, family members, and fellow Christians are hurting or struggling. Am I alert to their needs and ready to help when I have the opportunity? “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17). “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

Second, the fact that people are willing to share their problems with Elmo (who, let’s emphasize once more, is not a real person), and are willing to do it on social media in front of thousands of strangers, suggest that many folks need someone to talk to. Am I willing to try to be a helpful listener to somebody who needs one? And am I prepared to offer wise, godly counsel where I can? “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend” (Proverbs 27:9).

Third, a great many of those people are struggling because they are unknowingly missing out on the very purpose of life: fellowship with God through Jesus. Am I able and ready to talk to them about it? “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

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