Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? In the summer of 2014, millions of people dumped freezing water over their heads to raise awareness and funds for ALS research. It was a playful yet powerful way to raise awareness and funds, turning a lesser-known disease into a national conversation.
This spring, the Mental Health Ice Bucket Challenge made its way across social media to give a chilling reminder of gravity of the youth mental health crisis. With suicide now the second leading cause of death among teens, and with children as young as five showing signs of anxiety and depression, the challenge reminds us that mental health is a national priority.
At the Weill Cornell Department of Pediatrics, we are channeling the energy of this movement into meaningful advocacy and action. While symbolic gestures can spark awareness, what our youth really need is sustained commitment from their families, schools, health systems, and policymakers. Here is how we can turn icy water into a hotbed of solutions:
Building a Culture of Wellness and Connection
Our department is working to shift the pediatric care paradigm from reactive to proactive, promoting mental wellness through every stage of development, integrating behavioral health into routine visits, and advocating for social policies that address root causes, like poverty, racism, community violence, and isolation.
