By TLL Staff
Sesame Workshop has launched a new online expansion for the current Mental Health Awareness Month featuring official Sesame Street characters.
The new bilingual resources include six videos, a digital storybook and three animated videos that focus on addressing children’s mental and physical health.
“The mental health crisis we’re facing today is top of mind for many, yet its impact on young children is often overlooked,” said Sesame Workshop president, Sherrie Westin. “We know developing a healthy mind, body, and heart starts early. The presence of supportive, caring adults in children’s lives makes a world of difference in their emotional well-being.”
The branded educational content uses Sesame Street characters such as Elmo, Karli, the Count, the Countess and Abby Cadabby to teach children about nutrition, sleep, movement and self-care strategies.
The resources also focus on educating children and families about the role social and mental support workers, aka feelings helpers, play in their lives.
“By showing children how to not only manage big feelings but embrace their power in finding joy in even the toughest times, we can help them build a strong foundation to grow and blossom,” said Sesame Workshop SVP, Jeanette Betancourt. “Mental health providers, or feelings helpers, can play an important role guiding families on how to support children’s emotional well-being and helping children understand and cope with overwhelming emotions.”
In addition to the main Sesame Workshop resources, the American Psychological Association has developed four printable worksheets, activity pages, articles, and guides for parents and care providers.
All of the content included in the latest Sesame Workshop expansion is available for free in both English and Spanish.
Five more animated videos will launch on the non-profit’s website on June 17, that cover topics such as soothing feelings featuring Big Bird and learning self-compassion with Rosita.
Other activities in support of Mental Health Awareness Month include the launch of Sesame Workshop’s second new public service announcement (PSA) video entitled Laugh with the Ad Council on May 8 for their Love, Your Mind campaign developed with Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Sesame Workshop will also feature activities with Beaches Resorts in celebration of their partnership’s 20th anniversary.
This will include a new Sesame Street Sunrise Yoga experience at all Beaches locations, and two sessions on emotional well-being co-hosted with the Sandals Foundation at the Early Childhood Commission’s Annual Professional Development Institute’s Workshop in Kingston, Jamaica.
New Sesame Street books focused on aspects of emotional well-being will be released later this year with Phoenix International Publications and Sourcebooks.
Leadership support for Sesame Workshop’s emotional well-being initiative has been provided by UnitedHealthcare. Additional support for the program was provided by Kenneth Cole and Kohl’s.
Sesame Workshop is the global non-profit responsible for producing Sesame Street. The organization’s character IPs, broadcasts and outreach efforts currently reach audiences in more than 150 countries worldwide.
Sesame Workshop Launches New Resources For Mental Health Awareness Month
