During the summer of 2014, a new challenge of pouring cold, ice water over your head emerged as a way to spread awareness and raise money for ALS. This challenge was called the ice bucket challenge and gained so much popularity that even celebrities were taking part. It was often accompanied by a donation, which raised over $115 million dollars for ALS research and care.

Recently, the ice bucket challenge has reemerged, this time to spread awareness about mental health with the challenge being renamed the “Speak your mind” challenge. It started with the University of South Carolina’s Mind Club, a club dedicated to mental health awareness on campus and beyond. The challenge aims to not only spread awareness for mental health, but also fundraise for the Active Minds non-profit, a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness of and supporting mental health.

To participate in this challenge, you must be nominated. There is a long-chain of nominations where friends nominate friends, who nominate friends, and so on. I know that in about three nominations I am next, leaving me excited to participate in something I didn’t get a chance to when it first went around. Especially now that I’m aware of the core message and goal.

This challenge has taken over the student body of LHS. With many excited to get nominated and some scared at the idea of having ice water poured on their head.

Junior, Hayden Delrosario Rodrigues, is one of the scared parties, stating “I’m scared, my friends are being nominated and I think I’m next.” On the flip side, Junior Madison Mathias is excited stating, “My sister got nominated, so I think I’m next. I can’t wait!”

I hope, like the 2014 ice bucket challenge, that this new version fundraises and spreads awareness about mental health and the Active Minds mission, creating a less stigmatized community and world.