Blog Post
New Public Media Sitcom Asks, How are We Today?
How Are We Today is a sitcom that follows the path paved by Fred Rogers, Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow, and other trailblazers of educational programming, focusing on expanding the conversation about mental health and providing helpful tools for anyone’s day-to-day life.
Bipolar Disorder & Intro to Mental Health
In the pilot episode of How Are We Today, host Tyler Coe invites you to a new world of mental health education and shares what it’s like to experience symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. After the arrival of new neighbors and his good friend, Dr. Erin, the group learns more about how mental health conditions present themselves and how to regulate our emotions when they do.
Depression & Stepping In
It’s pizza night at Tyler’s place, but something is amiss with his niece Bella. After learning from her mother that she just went through a breakup, the group tries to unravel the mystery of whether or not she is dealing with depression. With the help of Dr. Erin, the group makes a game plan on how best to approach a loved one when they are suffering and get them the help they need.
ADHD & Life Systems
Introducing Barry the Beaver! Our resident rodent’s dam was flooded during a storm, and he could use the group’s help. We learn that Barry has ADHD and despite having a great handle on his symptoms, a new schedule change at work has thrown his world into chaos! Not to worry, Dr. Erin knows how to get him back on task and teaches us how to “check in” when our life systems are out of whack.
Panic Attacks & Grounding
The apartment building is falling apart, and its superintendent, Maintenance Mike, is nowhere to be found! The group learns that Mike suffered a panic attack in an elevator and has only been taking the stairs to get around. Time to face our fears as Dr. Erin teaches us about exposure therapy and grounding techniques we can use whenever panic attacks and anxiety show up.
Thinking Traps & Sticky Thoughts
On the eve of her theatrical debut, Mariel is experiencing a rush of negative thoughts that have her second-guessing whether or not to perform. Yet do not be frightened, kind viewers! Along with the help of her noble neighbors and a wizened wizard, this brave fellowship learns about cognitive distortions and how to rid themselves of those sticky thoughts when they attack.
Social Anxiety & Exposures
Ruh-roh! It’s Trick or Treat at Tyler’s place, who has decided to invite the entire neighborhood…including the mysterious, never-before-seen tenant, in Apartment 13. The gang must overcome the heebie jeebies as they face everyone’s biggest fear: being socially awkward! But Detective Erin is on the case, teaching us that eliminating embarrassment is more elementary than we realize, dear viewer.
Compassion Fatigue
In the season finale, we find one member of the group is stretched thin by taking care of everyone in their life except themselves. If you’re someone without a mental condition, that doesn’t mean your mental health can’t suffer too. Learn how compassion fatigue affects us all, and explore ways to manage it with the people you love to find out what works best for you.
How to Watch How Are We Today?
How Are We Today? is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
