If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram from April 19th-April 21st, you’ve probably seen the University of Southern Carolina (USC) “Speak Your Mind” Ice Bucket Challenge. But what exactly is it, and why does it even matter? Is it as effective as it should or can be? 

The original ice bucket challenge originated in 2014, to bring awareness to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease, as it was originally intended to make people experience the kind of paralysis ALS patients face every day. 

The challenge includes recording oneself thanking someone else for nominating them, and then listing off other nominees. Then, ice water is poured over them and the challenge is completed.

The initial purpose and mission of the ice bucket challenge is something genuine, as it was meant to spread awareness on the disease. However, it is clear that the recent resurgence has just become a trend, taking away from the challenges original meaning and purpose. 

Mental health has garnered lots of attention over the years, with numerous different clubs and organizations working hard to bring light to it. But when it comes to trends like this, there is a split between participants who truly care about mental health awareness and those who simply do not want to be considered “lame” for not engaging in the trend. 

Supporters of the USC ice bucket challenge claim that the challenge breaks a stigma and opens the conversation to mental health awareness. Perhaps it is. But for how long? And in what depth?

Already, the trend has died down with no more participants, the challenge wiped from everyone’s social media pages. It has become another social media facade utilizing mental health for popularity instead of finding a true course of action to help mental health awareness. 

There is proof that the challenge has raised money for mental health awareness, accomplishing its intended goal. But with such a trendy challenge, it is clear that instead of raising awareness about ALS, most participants are unfortunately doing the trend for other reasons unrelated to the original intent of the challenge. 

So the next time this kind of trendy challenge comes up ask yourself: Where did this originate from? And how might I be able to positively and productively contribute in a meaningful way? If the answer is pouring ice water over your head then by all means please go ahead. But if you don’t have the answers to these questions, then perhaps find another way to contribute more productively.