In 2014, the “Ice Bucket Challenge” took over the internet, raising $220 million for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, research. The illness is a nervous system disease that leads to the loss of muscle control, but the still this life alterning diagnosis has no cure and the cause remains unknown (Mayo Clinic). However, the trend from over a decade ago has been reimagined with a different issue behind the bucket: Mental Health.
But the challenge is much more than pouring water on yourself. The goal is to raise awareness for mental health struggles, suicide prevention, encouraging open conversation about mental health, self care, ending the stigma about mental health, and normalizing seeking help. The challenge means nothing if the message is not being spread.
The Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club on the University of South Carolina launched the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge campaign on Instagram on March 31st. They are also raising funds for Active Minds, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to destigmatize mental health. The challenge includes dumping a bucket of ice water onto yourself (or a friend), posting the video to social media, and nominating others to join.
The USC junior, Wade Jefferson founded the MIND club after losing two friends to suicide. He said, “the campaign aims to normalize conversations around mental health and make them more accessible.” That is exactly what the challenge has done. So far MIND has raised over to $322,000 in the past few weeks, which far exceeds the $500 goal set by the club. Since I started writing this article, the donation page grew by $100,000.
The Active Minds organization was founded by Alison Malmon when she was a junior at the University of Pennsylvania following the suicide of her older brother, and only sibling, Brian. At school, she saw that no one was talking about mental health issues although many were affected. She knew the only way things would get better was if young people started talking about it. She wanted to destigmatize the topic of mental health, encourage students who needed help to seek it early, and prevent future tragedies like the one that took her brother’s life.
As a society, we can equip youth and young adults with the resources, training, and skills they need to advocate for lasting mental health change. By speaking about mental health, we show the people in our life that their mental health matters, that we should be open about our mental health, and they should be able to seek the care they need.
But why ice and water? First of all, voluntarily dumping water on yourself, or allowing a friend to, creates a viral impact and visibility for the topic of the challenge. Drama grabs attention and once people’s attention is caught, many are compelled to look into the purpose behind the challenge. Unlike a simple repost or story share on social media, this kind of eye-catching participation makes the cause harder to ignore and increases its reach.
Second, it amplifies accessibility and community. People have access to water and ice, which makes the challenge inclusive. Additionally, each challenge usually involves at least two other people helping with the process, which strengthens a sense of community and further amplifies mental health awareness.
Lastly, the challenge causes discomfort. While the connection is open to interpretation, the discomfort caused by the Ice Bucket Challenge may encourage more conversations around mental health. The act of stepping out of one’s comfort zone to support the cause advocates for the importance of mental health and helps normalize its presence in everyday lives.
Even though the reason has changed, the Ice Bucket Challenge remains a way to spread awareness and raise money for important causes. Speaking out provides others with the strength to seek help. Mental health is essential to a person’s life in the same way as physical health. Hesitation to talk about mental health adds to the notion that the topic is taboo. It is important to normalize conversations surrounding mental health so people can feel empowered to seek the help they need.
