Mental health is highly under-addressed in India. Stress or anxiety is considered as a normal mental condition and is left untreated. This is the case for adults. Such conditions among children are not even acknowledged most of the times. However, this does not mean stress and anxiety do not affect children.
COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns across the world increased the mental health conditions among people. Children were highly affected at this time because of restrictions from stepping out, schools closed, limited interactions with friends and lack of outdoor activities. With no source of outlet, the stress and anxiety reached these young minds which can affect their mental health and productivity on a long term basis.
Considering the fact that the mental and emotional issues are not talked about often, the children struggle with spelling them out even to their guardians and parents. In order to help them address it well, Sesame Workshop – India and Viatris Inc. have launched new resources to support the social and emotional needs of children, parents, and other caregivers in families.
Sesame Workshop – India is the Indian arm of Sesame Workshop which is the internationally renowned non-profit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street. Sesame Street is the pioneering television show that has been reaching and teaching children in their earliest years to provide them access to life-changing early education, critical health lessons, and helpful tools for tough situations via a combination of television, radio, digital media, mobile technologies, and community outreach across 11 states in India.
The new resources released by the organization are available in English as well as other languages and are designed to help young children talk through and name big feelings like stress and fear, encourage positive caregiving strategies and routines, and help families find ways to celebrate together when far apart. The resources are to be made available globally and are estimated to reach the families in 6 continents.
Speaking about the initiative, Sonali Khan, Managing Director of Sesame Workshop – India said, “Together with Viatris, we are providing strategies for children and families to cope with today’s challenges and foster emotional wellbeing for years to come. With so many routines upended, we want to help children and their caregivers across India manage big feelings and spend quality time with each other, even when apart.”
The organization has been launching new animations and activities since about 2 months now, on a rolling basis in India in order to help caregivers with simple language and tact to talk to their children about the sudden change in their routines and how they can cope with their new reality while managing stress and anxiety.
Among the new resources, is one video where Grover and his mom decide to make his Grandmother’s special family soup over video chat when they can’t be together for their holiday celebration.
In another video, Elmo and his mom talk about big feelings. There is also a video where Elmo’s dad helps him name and cope with the feeling of fear of getting sick.
Additional topics released on a rolling basis include keeping routines, spending special time together, and learning about persistence.
“Our work with Sesame Workshop stems from our mission to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life,” said Lara Ramsburg, Head of Corporate Affairs for Viatris. “From young children to parents, grandparents, and other caregivers, we hope these new resources will be of value to anyone who has experienced the emotional impact of the pandemic on their families. As we begin our journey as Viatris, we’re committed to supporting social impact initiatives and partnerships that have the potential to have a lasting, positive impact on patients, families and communities worldwide. We’re pleased to collaborate with Sesame Workshop, who has a long history of making a difference in the lives of children around the world.”
These new resources that form a part of Sesame Workshop’s Caring for Each Other initiative, which was created in response to the uncertainty facing families during the COVID-19 pandemic, has reached families in more than 100 countries and 41 languages.
