It all started with a simple tweet from Sesame Street’s Elmo. The beloved little red monster took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The collective response made it clear that people are having a tough time with their mental health.
Now, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind Sesame Street, has partnered up with The Harris Poll to examine the mental health crisis in America. The organization released its inaugural State of Well-Being 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 an organization grounded in research and focused on impact, this new index will allow us to keep a pulse on the well-being of Americans and their families and make a meaningful contribution to our collective understanding of what drives well-being today.
The survey results were pulled from 2,012 online interviews reflecting the general U.S. population, ages 16 and up. According to the report, Americans ranked the importance of mental health on par with economic stability. One in three parents said their or their family’s well-being is negatively impacted by mental health issues, with the number going up to one in two among teens.
The country isn’t feeling optimistic about it, either, with less than half (42%) feeling a sense of optimism around the well-being of Americans. Most respondents indicated that they wanted to see mental well-being further prioritized by leaders and in education.
Americans understand that mental health is a vital issue, and that’s 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’re building a solid foundation for children’s emotional well-being that will support them for years to come.
The index isn’t all negative, however. The report emphasized the need for increased kindness in today’s world. 82% of respondents agreed that “my well-being would improve if society was kinder” and 85% indicated that it’s important for society to promote kindness.
Sesame Workshop’s full State of Well-Being Report is available for free download now on the organization’s official website. The organization declared a multi-year commitment to emotional well-being last year, and has since continually released free resources on its page dedicated to mental health.
