With the recent stigmatized nature of mental health, the University of South Carolina brought back the famous Ice Bucket Challenge to spread awareness for mental health. Renamed the USC Speak Your Mind Challenge, the cold water thrown over someone’s head is supposed to symbolize the rush of negative thoughts that enter one’s head.
“I think that [the Speak Your Mind Challenge] showed that everyone is there for each other in need,” said OH junior Hailey Pattison.
The original challenge being dated to the summer of 2014, was to spread awareness for a neurodegenerative disease called Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and has been brought back by the University of South Carolina, now going against the stigmatization of mental health, as said by NorthJersey.
“The first time it started back was around 10 years ago to raise awareness for ASL, which still doesn’t have a cure. This time around [it] is to raise awareness and show that it’s okay not to be okay,” said sophomore Ainslee Gerardot.
The challenge soon skyrocketed, having people from different countries around the world participate and nominate their friends and family members. But the question is, does this challenge bring awareness, or is it starting to feel like a production for likes and views?
According to The Torch, with the uproar on social media, the true meaning of the challenge has appeared to be dissolved by the popularity.
As well as in the videos being posted, nobody gives a full explanation of what the challenge is supposed to represent. With recent efforts to defund the national crisis line, the challenge is needed more than ever for people to speak out.
“I feel the challenge has become just a fun way to nominate your friends instead of being aware of the severity of how mental health is affecting our society,” said senior Isabella Johnson.
For those who cannot do the challenge, there is also a way to support the cause by donating to the Active Mind Fundraiser and using #SpeakYourMIND; currently, $420,179 has been raised. Active Mind goes hand-in-hand with USC, as they are a nonprofit organization aimed at helping youth and young adults with mental health struggles to be more normalized in society.
“I wish in my video that I had actually explained what it was and the meaning behind it and encouraged people to donate,” said Gerardot.
While its overpopulation has misconstrued the true aim of the challenge, many people online have found it to be beneficial as it opened the space for more intimate conversations about mental health.
If you or someone you love is struggling, call 988 and talk to someone trusted. You are not alone, and you’re important to this world.
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