On Monday morning, Elmo, a furry red monster muppet character from the famous kids television show Sesame Street, posted on X (formally Twitter), writing, “Elmo is checking in! How is everyone doing?” This caused a breakdown on the internet amongst users sharing their grief and despair.

Under Elmo’s X post, one user wrote, “Elmo I’m suffering from existential dread over here.” Another user wrote, “Every morning, I cannot wait to go back to sleep. Every Monday, I cannot wait for Friday to come. Every single day and every single week for life.” Youtuber Steven Mclnerney said, “The world is burning around us, Elmo.” Rachel Zegler, a celebrity actress, wrote on Elmo’s X post, saying she was “resisting the urge to tell Elmo that [she is] kinda sad.” The only person who seemed to be doing well was Chance the Rapper, who said, “Honestly, I’m in a really good place rn.”

Some thought the timing of Elmo’s question was to blame, since it doesn’t always end well to ask this type of question on a Monday morning in January, where at the end of the month many individuals feel it has gone on forever.

Elmo wasn’t fazed by many dumping their problems onto him. On Tuesday night, Elmo wrote on his X page, saying, “Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing. Elmo will check again soon, friends! Elmo loves you. #EmotionalWellBeing.”

Some other Sesame Street characters spoke up to help support their friend Elmo. The Cookie Monster wrote, “Me here to talk it out whenever you want. Me will also supply cookies. #EmotionalWellBeing.” Ernie’s best friend Bert wrote, “I’m here if you ever need a shoulder to lean on. I’ll make us both a warm cup of tea.”

The official Sesame Street X account posted a link to their own mental health resources page, writing, “Thank you, @Elmo, for checking in with a reminder for us to take a pause and take a mindful moment to focus on how we’re feeling.” Many of Elmo’s efforts of helping to support people’s emotional wellbeing are being praised by the United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden himself also said he agreed with the puppet. Biden wrote on X saying, “I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days. We have to be there for each other, offer our help to a neighbor in need, and above all else, ask for help when we need it. Even though it’s hard, you’re never alone.”