As America battles an opioid crisis, kids' TV show Sesame Street has introduced a new puppet called Karli, whose mother is fighting addiction.
The character's backstory will be explained to viewers, who will hear about Karli's mother having a 'grown-up problem' and is battling opioid addiction, meaning the bright green puppet has had to go into foster care.
Creators of the show have decided to introduce the character as part of the Sesame Street in Communities online space. The team explained that they have turned to the issue of addiction after receiving data that showed 5.7 million children in the US live in households that have a parent with a substance use disorder.
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Kama Einhorn, who is senior content manager with Sesame Workshop, said: "There's nothing else out there that addresses substance abuse for young, young kids from their perspective.
"Even a parent at their most vulnerable - at the worst of their struggle - can take one thing away when they watch it with their kids, then that serves the purpose."
The character had already been introduced to the show as living in foster care, but viewers will now learn why her mother had to go away.
The clip, entitled 'It's Not Your Fault', is part of a series of online-only segments and resources which were made with the help of a child therapist. They show Karli with 10-year-old Salia Woodbury. Both of their parents are in 'recovery' and Elmo's dad, Louie, explains that addiction is a sickness.
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They also show Karli telling Elmo and Chris about her mom's special adult meetings and her own kids' ones.
Karli, tells the camera: "Hi, it's me, Karli. I'm here with my friend Salia. Both of our parents have had the same problem - addiction."
Saila says: "My mom and dad told me that addiction is a sickness."
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Karli continues: "Yeah, a sickness that makes people feel like they have to take drugs or drink alcohol to feel OK.
"My mom was having a hard time with addiction and I felt like my family was the only one going through it. But now I've met so many other kids like us. It makes me feel like we're not alone."
Salia says: "Right, we're not alone. And it's OK to open up to people about our feelings."
Sesame Street first aired in 1969 and has tackled topics including HIV, parents in prison, homelessness and women's rights.
Featured Image Credit: Associated Press