Reimagined Ice Bucket Challenge comes to the Maritimes
It might not be 2014, but the Ice Bucket Challenge is sweeping social media for a new cause.
Reimagined by Wade Jefferson at the University of South Carolina, the Speak Your MIND Ice Bucket Challenge is focusing on mental health this time around, and it's making waves north of the border.
'We saw it as an opportunity and a platform to bring more awareness to mental health issues,' said Lana McMullen, director of programs and services at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, N.S.
The Sportsplex was nominated by Cole Harbour Place and accepted the challenge with open arms.
'A wider audience again is always a good thing. I thought we would accept the challenge and take the opportunity to use that platform and get that message out there to hopefully reach more people,' McMullen said.
The challenge is not associated with any mental health organizations in Canada, but still seeks to spread awareness.
'Raising awareness leads to action,' said Neicole Killawee, communications manager for the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia. 'And what we really want is more and more people to get comfortable with the idea that it's okay to not be okay, and that help is available.'
'While CMHA Nova Scotia is not formally involved in the initiative, we're encouraged to see Nova Scotians taking part and choosing to donate to CMHA,' said Johanne Thompson, executive director of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Nova Scotia division. 'We've also heard that several of our counterparts across the country and in Atlantic Canada have received support through this renewed effort — a clear sign of how deeply this cause resonates with communities in our region."
'We just took the opportunity to get that message to people,' McMullen said. 'If people want to make donations, absolutely. There are plenty of foundations that will graciously accept donations. But it was more about getting the message out that says, these are the people that can help you.
'A lot of people come through these doors knowing that the benefits that they get from participating in activities in this facility are beneficial to them and to their mental health, and it's detrimental to their mental health when they don't. If we can get a message out there to somebody having a mental health crisis, these are the numbers to call if you need help.'
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St. James Much like the return of wide-leg jeans and the Jedi, the Ice Bucket Challenge is back with a vengeance. In 2014, this viral social media campaign garnered worldwide attention for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurological disease also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Participants filmed themselves having a bucket of ice water dumped on their heads, then nominated friends and family to do the same and/or donate to ALS research. Photo by Wanda Prychitko Brooklands Admin Staff accepted the challenge from another school in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division, encouraging everyone to make positive youth mental health a priority. In Canada alone, more than $17 million was raised in five months, and more than $220 million US was raised globally. ALS continues to be a fatal condition that takes people in their prime. Fast forward to 2025, and the Ice Bucket Challenge is front-and-centre of a new movement launched by Mental Illness Needs Discussion, a student club at the University of South Carolina. Dubbed the #SpeakYourMind Ice Bucket Challenge, the campaign encourages us to engage in conversation, reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, foster mutual support and advocate for suicide prevention. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. In 2022, Health Canada reported that one in four Canadian youth had been diagnosed as struggling with one or a combination of mental, emotional, developmental or behavioural issues. Suicide was the second leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 34. These numbers are staggering, tragic and avoidable. The Ice Bucket Challenge is but a medium, with the capacity to draw attention to a host of concerns. I have no doubt that other issues worthy of our attention will use the Ice Bucket Challenge to shine a light on their cause in the future. Just as door-to-door canvassing was initiated by a single group, we know that many, many organizations have utilized the model to raise awareness and funds. If it ain't broke – don't fix it. In the midst of so much Canada-U.S. divisiveness, I think we can agree that the mental health of youth everywhere is a critical issue, and not one to be politicized. Whether you splash yourself, nominate a friend, donate your time or assets, the point is to be open to others in need and not be afraid of the conversation. You can be involved as little or as much as you like – but please be involved. Wanda PrychitkoSt. James-Assiniboia community correspondent Wanda Prychitko is a community correspondent for St. James-Assiniboia. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
