In the summer of 2014, the ice bucket challenge flooded social media apps. This trend was started to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS. The dumping of an ice bucket was made to replicate the feeling that ALS patients felt daily. More Recently, social media users on Instagram and TikTok have revived the ice bucket challenge. Some may think that this is a resurgence of the original ice bucket challenge, but it is actually a fundraiser for mental health awareness and education.
This challenge started at the University of South Carolina by a group of students in the Mental Illness Needs Discussion club (MIND). This club was created in March of 2024, but the challenge did not begin until March 31 of this year. The club’s goal is to destigmatize mental health, create and foster supportive communities and support suicide prevention, both on their campus and around the country. MIND partnered with Active Minds, a mental health organization that is based in Washington, D.C.. Active Minds primary goal is to destigmatize mental health and encourage open conversations about it, similar to MIND’s goals. The organization sponsors programs in schools and workplaces. These programs are very popular, and are present in over 800 schools, workplaces and communities.
The rules for this challenge are simple: if you are nominated, you must respond within 24 hours by dumping a bucket of ice water on your head. You must record yourself and post it on social media, using #SpeakYourMIND and tag @uscmind on Instagram. In order to spread it, you must tag a few friends or family members to nominate them to participate in the ice bucket challenge in order to keep the trend going.
Participating in this challenge is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness and show your support for mental health. If you are not nominated, you can still donate to the cause on the Active Minds website. As of April 15, over $23,000 has been raised for the cause. If you are unable to donate, you can still assist the cause by spreading awareness for mental health.
