It all started with a simple tweet sesame streetIt’s Elmo. The beloved little red monster took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and said: “Elmo just checked in! How is everyone doing? The collective response clearly shows that people are having a hard time with their mental health.
Now, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind sesame streetPartnering with Harris Poll to investigate America’s mental health crisis. The organization has released its first-ever State of Happiness Report. The report includes survey data on the well-being of Americans and their families, as well as thoughts on the importance of mental health, barriers that make things difficult, and more.
As a research-based, impact-focused organization, this new index will allow us to provide a timely understanding of the well-being of Americans and their families and meaningfully contribute to our collective understanding of today’s drivers of well-being.
The findings were drawn from 2,012 online interviews and reflect the general U.S. population aged 16 and older. Americans rank mental health as equally important as financial stability, the report said. One in three parents say their or a family member’s well-being has been negatively affected by mental health problems, and up to one in two teenagers.
The country isn’t optimistic either, with less than half (42%) feeling optimistic about Americans’ well-being. The majority of respondents said they would like to see greater emphasis on mental health from leaders and education.
Americans understand that mental health is a critical issue, which is why the need for our work has never been greater. By celebrating everyday joys, teaching children to understand their emotions, and helping parents recognize the signs of more serious mental health challenges, we are building a strong foundation for children’s emotional well-being that will support them in the years to come. .
However, the index is not all negative. The report highlights the need for more kindness in today’s world. 82% of respondents agreed that “my happiness would improve if society was kinder,” and 85% said it is important for society to promote kindness.
Sesame Workshop’s full happiness report is now available for free download on the organization’s official website. The organization announced a multi-year commitment to emotional health last year and has since continued to publish free resources dedicated to mental health on its page.
