The USC Speak Your Mind challenge is spreading like wildfire. Beginning on March 31st, thousands have joined the movement, but fewer participants are aware of its origin and the meaning behind it.
The Speak Your Mind challenge was launched by the USC (University of South Carolina) campus club, MIND: Mental Health Needs Discussion. The club’s leader, Wade Jefferson, states that the organization’s main goals are to spread awareness about mental health and destigmatize the conversation surrounding it. All profits received during the ice bucket challenge will be donated to the foundation, Active Minds—creating a deeper story than what challenge participants imagine.
Being founded by Alison Malmon in 2000, Active Minds focuses on transforming mental health norms within societal boundaries. Alison created the nonprofit after losing her brother, Brian Malmon. Brian committed suicide after struggling with depression and psychosis. Instead of finding help, he felt the need to keep his emotions private due to the negativity regarding the discussion over mental health.
Although Brian’s death occurred over ten years ago, the USC MIND organization is bringing his name back to light. With their priority being the fight against stigmatizing views over mental illness, both them and Active Minds collaborate closely together.
When it comes to the ice bucket challenge, participants are less likely to mention the true purpose of what they’re doing. It’s not necessarily because they choose not to speak on it, but because they aren’t aware of the meaning whatsoever.
Moving forward, it’s important that future participants educate themselves prior to throwing a bucket of water over their head and nominating another three to do the same. It’s a chain reaction that can be stopped—but that can only happen if someone begins the change. There’s no harm in playing the game, as long as the message is spread. However, with that being said, the message has to be told in order to be heard. Below is the official link to the Speak Your Mind page where donations are accepted:
Speak Your Mind Donation Page –
