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The Ice Bucket Challenge: Does it help the Mental Health Cause?

Mya Hans

The Ice Bucket Challenge: Does it help the Mental Health Cause?

You have probably seen it all over your Instagram. It’s taking over all social media currently. You and I have probably both done it: The Ice Bucket Challenge. In April, thousands of people participated in this challenge, advocating for mental health. The first person to do it was Wade Jefferson, a student who attends the University of Southern California. He began this challenge to raise awareness and gain support for mental health efforts. After you do the challenge, you can nominate up to six people. Thus, this fun challenge spreads quickly. However, if you keep up with trends and social media, you may notice that the Speak Your Mind ice bucket challenge is just an iteration of the ALS ice bucket challenge. It actually started in 2014, but its purpose then was to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Despite all of these posts about the ice bucket challenge, very few donate to the cause.

 

The official USC Mind Instagram stated in the post the simple instructions for the challenge. Participate, nominate friends, donate, and share the video. Many forget to do the donating part, which can be problematic considering that is the entire point of the challenge. Some people see it as a fun challenge to do with your friends and you nominate each other, but it is much deeper than that. Although the challenge has raised “more than $245,000” according to Forbes, there is still so much more that can be done to advocate for mental health that doesn’t involve you simply recording yourself for friends to see and not actually helping the cause. However, it should be noted that most of the people participating in this challenge are young. There’s only so much that an average teenager can do to contribute to the mental health cause, but this challenge is definitely proving to be a big step in the support and awareness of mental health in the younger generation. However, there are so many other things that can also take place for mental health awareness. Here are examples of activities you can do that advocate and contribute to the cause of mental health awareness:

 

Donate to organizations that provide mental health programs such as:  

-Mental Health America  

-The National Alliance on Mental Illness  

-The Child Mind Institute  

There are so many programs that you can donate to help people struggling with mental health! 

Take part in mental health programs in your community or school  

There are so many activities like journaling, yoga, or walking that can be peaceful for some people. Those struggling with mental health could use a place that facilitates these relaxing activities. For example, at Valley Stream North, we have a Wellness Center where students can do arts and crafts, see a therapy dog, do yoga, and do much more during the week.  

Run a marathon or go on a walk for mental health awareness  

There are many marathons and walks that advocate mental health awareness, and a lot of funds are raised through those programs. Check if your local community might have one coming up! 


Participating in some of these activities can benefit the community greatly and reduce the stigma around mental health, leading to a more accepting and involved society. We should try our best to achieve this goal, and although some of the intentions may not be where they should be, the Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge has put the younger generation in the right direction of advocating for mental health.  

 

  

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