‘If you’re sad, get a cookie’: how US schoolkids launched a hotline to spread joy

The pep-talk project has been overwhelmed with calls from people in need of a lift in difficult times

Last month, a group of California elementary school students launched a free hotline featuring on-demand inspiration and advice for anxious souls. With joy in short supply these days, the tiny school's project has since gone viral, receiving thousands of calls hourly.

Dial 707-998-8410 and you'll hear a cheerful voice listing your options: If you're feeling mad, frustrated or nervous, press one. If you need words of encouragement and life advice, press two. If you need a pep talk from kindergarteners, press three. If you need to hear kids laughing with delight, press four."

If you're nervous, go get your wallet and spend it on ice cream and shoes."

If you're frustrated, you can always go to your bedroom, punch a pillow or cry on it and just go scream outside."

If you're mad or frustrated, you can do what you want to do best or you can do flips on the trampoline."

If you're sad or angry, go get a cookie, a smoothie or an ice cream."

You are OK."

Don't give up - power through."

The world is a better place with you in it."

Choose weird."

If you're feeling up high and unbalanced, think of groundhogs."