The “Ice Backet Challenge”, a viral fundraising campaign that increased millions for ALS research In 2014, students from the University of South Carolina were redesigned to tackle a new number: awareness of mental health.
THE Discussion club on mental illness (mind)The #Speakyourmind campaign, launched on Instagram in March, adapts the format of the challenge to collect funds for active minds, a non -profit organization whose mission is to mobilize young people and change mental health standards. Participants pour iced water on themselves, publish the videos and name others to join – while emphasizing the importance of speaking frankly about mental health.
THE Campaign exceeded $ 100,000 Friday, in donations and attracted the participation of high -level figures such as former NFL Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders players.
Wade Jefferson, a USC junior who founded the mind club after losing two friends to commit suicide, said the campaign aims to normalize conversations around mental health and make them more accessible.
Jefferson was shocked by the trendy width of social media, initially set a objective of collecting a modest funds of $ 500 while expecting what remains confined to the USC campus. He said that the testimony of his viral popularity was surreal for the students involved.
Brett Curtis, director of community fundraising and events at Active Minds, said many lucrative organizations have long been looking for an equally effective movement.
“I think that professionals and the causes and causes of fundraising have remained in the tables for years trying to say:” What will be our ice bucket challenge, “said Curtis. “I think there is a little irony in the sense that it is only the challenge of the ice bucket, this time to talk about mental health.”
The ALS association, which initially benefited from the 2014 challenge, expressed its support for the new effort.
“We are delighted to see the spirit of the Bucket Als Ice challenge live in new forms of activism,” the ALS Association said in a press release at NBC News.
To its maximum popularity, the ALS Ice Bucket challenge attracted great attention, with public figures, notably the former president George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey and Derek throw among those who participate.
The skeptics expressed their concern That the popularity of the challenge was an ephemeral trend and wondered if it would lead to funding and attention supported for ALS research.
As for the new challenge, Cutis stressed that it was never only donations for active minds.
“The gifts were still secondary,” he said. “It was a chance for us to support a group of students, and it has always been our mission. And I’m just excited to see him continue as long as. “