Tag: awareness
‘Sesame Street’ crew launches emotional well-being initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and even Elmo and friends are joining in on the call for a more expansive look at youth mental health. Led by Sesame Workshop, Sesame Street‘s nonprofit educational arm, the organization’s new campaign is focused on supporting the emotional well-being of young children.
“Responding to the growing mental health crisis for young children and building on decades of experience developing social-emotional learning content for families, the Workshop will address this critical need through a wide range of activities and engaging content designed for the whole family and available on multiple platforms to reach children and families wherever they are,” the organization wrote in its announcement. “The youngest children are often overlooked in discussions about mental health — but there’s growing evidence that young children are struggling, now more than ever.”
Sesame Workshop’s organization-wide initiative is responding to a February report by the American Association of Pediatrics, which declared a nationwide mental health crisis among children.
“Our country is not meeting the behavioral health needs of our young people,” the researchers wrote. “Although problems with the pediatric mental health system have been known for decades, recent factors, including the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, accelerated its breakdown… The factors driving this crisis are complex, but not insurmountable.”
The campaign will offer strategies caregivers, families, and community providers can use to recognize signs of emotional distress in children and to offer support regulating strong feelings and gaining essential social-emotional skills.
As part of the multi-year, multi-platform campaign, families can enjoy the Sesame Street neighbors in a range of cross-platform content, including a new 45-minute YouTube special called “Elmo’s Mindfulness Spectacular,” in which the iconic character learns how to calm anxiety ahead of the “The Big YouTube Talent Show.” The group is joined by celebrities and creators like Jenny Slate, Juanpa Zurita, and LaurDIY to learn about mindfulness and calming activities.
Credit: Sesame Street/ Sesame Workshop
Credit: Sesame Street/ Sesame Workshop
Other resources include a special parenting-oriented episode of The Happiness Lab podcast hosted by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos. The episode will feature Sesame Workshop CEO Steve Youngwood and Kay Wilson Stallings, executive vice president and chief production and creative development officer, along with Elmo, who will share additional emotional regulation strategies for parents and caregivers. It’ll be followed by another three-episode series on happiness featuring beloved characters and songs of Sesame Street.
Sesame Workshop will also bring its Goodnight, World! podcast back for a second season, in partnership with meditation app Headspace. “Developed by a team of early childhood and meditation experts, Goodnight, World! reimagines the popular sleepcast format to help children practice transitioning from their active days to naptime or bedtime,” the organization wrote.
The campaign will venture into literature with a six-book series based on Sesame Street’s “Monster Meditation” videos on YouTube in partnership with Headspace and Penguin Random House, as well. The organization also announced a publishing collaboration with Mayo Clinic Press Kids, an imprint of Mayo Clinic Press, to create a line of “whole-body health” and emotional well-being books slated for fall 2024.
In addition, a newly launched Sesame Workshop resource hub houses a digital storybook, activity sheets, videos, and activities, including resources in English and Spanish, to support parents, caregivers, and providers in promoting a strong foundation of emotional well-being. Video resources also can be streamed on PBS Kids.
In April, Sesame Workshop partnered with the Ad Council to release a Sound it Out campaign PSA called “Me & My Grown-Up,” a sing-along video about the importance of nurturing caregivers in a child’s emotional development. And, looking worldwide, a primetime episode of Takalani Sesame, Sesame Street‘s South African show, will premiere on May 20, titled “The Big Feelings Special.”
“We at Sesame hold a vision of a world in which all children can flourish and feel the joyfulness of life and do so with appreciation for their own mental health and well-being. Through the power of our beloved characters and proven resources, we’re raising awareness about the importance of nurturing children’s emotional well-being and lessening the stigma associated with seeking support for children’s mental health,” said Sherrie Westin, president of Sesame Workshop.
To learn more about the new Sesame Workshop resources, visit the organization’s emotional well-being hub. Families can tune in to Sesame Street on HBOMax.
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Score Sleep Awareness Week deals from Brooklinen, Nectar, and more
If there ever was a time to splurge on new bedding, it’s now. These Sleep Awareness Week deals will help you save on high-end mattresses, sheets, and more, so you can sleep soundly without breaking the bank.
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BEST MATTRESS DEAL: The Nectar Premier Mattress (queen) features dual-action cooling technology for hot sleepers — $899
$1,499(save $600) -
BEST SHEET BUNDLE DEAL: The Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore sheet bundle includes one core sheet set, one duvet cover, and two extra pillowcases — $217.80
$363(save $145.20) -
BEST PILLOW DEAL: The Purple Harmony pillow is wrapped in moisture-wicking breathable mesh material— $175
$219(save $44)
Getting a good night’s sleep is the foundation for a productive (read: less grumpy) day, and investing in top-notch bedding can make all the difference.
Thankfully, March 12 marks the official start of Sleep Awareness Week 2023. During this time, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) promotes better sleeping habits and encourages people to prioritize getting enough restful sleep to maintain their overall health and well-being. In hopes of supporting this initiative, several retailers are offering some pretty hefty discounts on some of our favorite bedding and sleep products before Sleep Week even hits.
March 12 is also the beginning of Daylight Saving Time, giving us all the perfect excuse to treat ourselves to some new bedding and adjust to the time change in style. But you’d better act fast — many of these deals are only available for a limited time.
Best mattress deal
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Our pick: The Nectar Premier mattress (queen)
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Why we like it
The Nectar Premier mattress comes in two options: Nectar Premier and Premier Copper. The Nectar Premier mattress features dual-action cooling technology and ActiveCool HD phase change material that reacts to your body’s temperature as you sleep to keep you cool throughout the night. Made with CertiPUR-US® certified foams, this 13-inch tall mattress (with five layers of premium materials in between) is definitely a steal.
Best sheet bundle deal
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Our pick: Luxe Hardcore sheet bundle
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Why we like it
Sheets aren’t just sheets. And, the older you get, the quicker you’ll realize that just any old sheet set will not do. The Luxe Hardcore sheet bundle by Brooklinen has a whopping 85,000+ reviews and includes one sheet set, one duvet cover, and two extra pillowcases. This 480 thread-count set is the perfect starter kit for anyone who’s moving or just looking to upgrade their current sheet set. Looking for more than just sheets? Brooklinen is offering 20% off most of their bestselling bedding during Sleep Week, too.
Best blanket deal
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Our pick: Purple harmony pillow (king)
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Why we like it
Purple carries some of the best bedding, and this pillow is no exception. This pillow is designed just like a Purple mattress, honeycomb grid and all. Plus, it features an inner core of hypoallergenic ventilated latex and is wrapped in moisture-wicking breathable mesh for a comfortable all-night-long sleep.
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Free Destiny 2 emblem code celebrates Transgender Awareness Week
A free Destiny 2 emblem code in celebration of Transgender Awareness Week and honoring Transgender Remembrance Day is available to all players of the popular FPS game via a code available for redemption on Bungie’s code redemption website.
Transgender Awareness Week began on November 13 and ends on November 19, leading to Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20. Although the emblem was initially added to the game in 2021, the Trans@Bungie Inclusion Club used November 17’s This Week at Bungie (TWAB) blog post to remind players that the emblem is still available and share the importance of recognizing and supporting transgender and gender nonconforming Guardians.
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