The Ice Bucket Challenge is Back

1. The Ice Bucket Challenge, which debuted in 2014, was a viral social media campaign that brought worldwide attention and funds to causes related to (ALS), a neurological disease. Participants would film themselves having a bucket of ice water dumped on their heads, then nominate friends to do the same or donate to ALS research (they would often do both). Globally, 17 million people participated in the original Ice Bucket Challenge, which helped raise more than US$220 million for ALS research and treatment. Did you participate in the ice bucket challenge in 2014 or around that time?

2. This time, the challenge is focusing on an issue that is gaining wider attention--mental health. Mental health challenges among youth are rising sharply, with nearly 1 in 5 children in the U.S. and 1 in 4 in Canada diagnosed with a disorder—trends worsened by the pandemic. In both countries, suicide is a leading cause of death among young people. Who do you think should take the lead in addressing youth mental health?