In a surprising move, McDonald’s UK division is rebranding their iconic Happy Meal as “The Meal” for Mental Health Awareness Week from May 13-19. The company is dropping the smile from the box and the word “Happy” from the menu item in an effort to acknowledge that it is okay not to feel happy all the time. The initiative is in response to a study that showed 48% of kids in the UK feel pressured to be happy all the time. McDonald’s distributed 2.5 million “not-so-Happy Meals” to over one thousand locations in the UK during this awareness week.
The redesign of the iconic Happy Meal comes from a collaboration between Leo Burnett UK and Ready 10. The new design features a plain red container with a small reminder on the bottom that “It’s okay not to feel happy all the time.” In addition to the new design, some locations also received a range of emotion stickers for kids to replace the iconic smile with another emotion of their choosing. This initiative aims to encourage open conversations about mental health in families and spark positive conversations around children’s emotions and well-being.
The surprising move by McDonald’s UK division is part of an effort to stimulate conversations about mental health and raise awareness about the importance of discussing emotions and well-being. By changing the design of the Happy Meal to reflect the idea that it is okay not to feel happy all the time, McDonald’s hopes to encourage families to have more open conversations about children’s mental health. The distribution of 2.5 million “not-so-Happy Meals” and emotion stickers is a part of this initiative to promote a dialogue about mental health in families.
The decision to rebrand the Happy Meal as “The Meal” for Mental Health Awareness Week reflects a growing trend towards promoting mental health awareness in society. By acknowledging that not everyone is happy all the time and that it is okay to feel different emotions, McDonald’s is contributing to a broader conversation about mental health and well-being. The new design of the Happy Meal box and the distribution of emotion stickers are examples of how companies can play a role in promoting mental health awareness and encouraging open conversations about emotions and mental well-being in families.
The collaboration between Leo Burnett UK, Ready 10, and McDonald’s UK division to redesign the Happy Meal for Mental Health Awareness Week showcases a unique approach to raising awareness about mental health. By changing the design of the iconic Happy Meal and distributing emotion stickers for kids, McDonald’s is highlighting the importance of discussing emotions and well-being in families. The initiative aims to spark positive conversations about children’s mental health and encourage families to have open and honest dialogues about emotions, mental health, and well-being.
Overall, McDonald’s UK division’s decision to rebrand the Happy Meal as “The Meal” for Mental Health Awareness Week is a bold move that reflects a commitment to promoting mental health awareness and encouraging open conversations about emotions and well-being. By emphasizing that it is okay not to feel happy all the time, McDonald’s is contributing to a broader dialogue about mental health in society and encouraging families to have positive conversations about children’s emotions and mental well-being. The distribution of 2.5 million “not-so-Happy Meals” and emotion stickers is a creative way to raise awareness about mental health and engage families in discussions about emotions and well-being.
