Health
•
USC Ice Bucket Challenge: Mental Health Awareness Goes Viral
## USC Ice Bucket Challenge Revived for Mental Health Awareness, Raising Thousands
COLUMBIA, SC – The iconic ice bucket challenge, which raised millions for ALS research in 2014, has been resurrected by University of South Carolina (USC) students to tackle a different urgent cause: mental health. The #SpeakYourMind campaign, launched by USC's Mental Health Needs Discussion (MIND) club on March 31st, utilizes the familiar format – a bucket of ice water dumped over one's head, followed by nominations – to raise awareness and funds for Active Minds, a leading national nonprofit dedicated to youth mental health.
The challenge has already generated significant momentum. Jenna Bush Hager, a Today Show correspondent, participated in the challenge on April 21st, nominating colleagues and celebrities to join the cause. Her participation, along with the involvement of various sports teams, high schools, and individuals, has helped propel the campaign’s fundraising efforts. Active Minds reports exceeding $180,000 of their $250,000 goal. The organization, founded in 2003 by Alison Malmon following the suicide of her brother, emphasizes the importance of open conversations about mental health, particularly for young adults, noting that mental illness often begins between ages 14 and 24, with suicide being a leading cause of death among college students.
Brett Curtis, Director of Community Fundraising for Active Minds, highlights the campaign's broader impact, stating that "sports teams, athletes, it's high schools and middle schools and cheerleading teams…using this viral moment to say there is a bigger, deeper meaning." He underscores the need for open communication and encourages anyone struggling with mental health to reach out for support. The simple act of participating in the challenge, either by taking the plunge or donating to Active Minds, contributes to destigmatizing mental health issues and providing critical resources for those in need. The MIND club at USC, founded by Wade Jefferson, aims to break the stigma, advocate for suicide prevention, and promote mindfulness. Their initiative serves as a powerful example of how a viral trend can be leveraged to address a critical public health concern.
COLUMBIA, SC – The iconic ice bucket challenge, which raised millions for ALS research in 2014, has been resurrected by University of South Carolina (USC) students to tackle a different urgent cause: mental health. The #SpeakYourMind campaign, launched by USC's Mental Health Needs Discussion (MIND) club on March 31st, utilizes the familiar format – a bucket of ice water dumped over one's head, followed by nominations – to raise awareness and funds for Active Minds, a leading national nonprofit dedicated to youth mental health.
The challenge has already generated significant momentum. Jenna Bush Hager, a Today Show correspondent, participated in the challenge on April 21st, nominating colleagues and celebrities to join the cause. Her participation, along with the involvement of various sports teams, high schools, and individuals, has helped propel the campaign’s fundraising efforts. Active Minds reports exceeding $180,000 of their $250,000 goal. The organization, founded in 2003 by Alison Malmon following the suicide of her brother, emphasizes the importance of open conversations about mental health, particularly for young adults, noting that mental illness often begins between ages 14 and 24, with suicide being a leading cause of death among college students.
Brett Curtis, Director of Community Fundraising for Active Minds, highlights the campaign's broader impact, stating that "sports teams, athletes, it's high schools and middle schools and cheerleading teams…using this viral moment to say there is a bigger, deeper meaning." He underscores the need for open communication and encourages anyone struggling with mental health to reach out for support. The simple act of participating in the challenge, either by taking the plunge or donating to Active Minds, contributes to destigmatizing mental health issues and providing critical resources for those in need. The MIND club at USC, founded by Wade Jefferson, aims to break the stigma, advocate for suicide prevention, and promote mindfulness. Their initiative serves as a powerful example of how a viral trend can be leveraged to address a critical public health concern.
