University of South Carolina students have reignited the viral Ice Bucket Challenge to raise mental health awareness, raising nearly $250,000 within days while drawing both widespread support and some criticism from the ALS community that originated the movement.
At a Glance
- USC students have revived the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge, now called the “Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge,” to raise mental health awareness
- The challenge has raised over $244,000 for Active Minds, a nonprofit focused on mental health support
- Celebrities including Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Scarlett Johansson have participated in the viral campaign
- While some ALS advocates have criticized the repurposing of the challenge, the ALS Association has expressed support for the mental health initiative
A Familiar Challenge With a New Purpose
A decade after people across the globe dumped buckets of ice water over their heads to raise money for ALS research, the iconic challenge has found new life in 2025. Students at the University of South Carolina have reimagined the viral sensation to focus on mental health awareness through their campus MIND club. The revived “Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge” follows the same familiar format: participants dump ice water on their heads, post videos on social media, donate, and nominate others to do the same within 24 hours.
What began as a modest campus initiative quickly exploded into a nationwide movement when celebrities and influencers began participating. High-profile participants include NFL stars Eli and Peyton Manning, actress Scarlett Johansson, country singer Blake Sheldon, and the co-hosts of the Today Show. The challenge has gained particular traction on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where younger audiences have embraced both the cause and the nostalgic throwback to the 2014 phenomenon.
The “Ice Bucket Challenge,” a viral fundraising campaign that raised millions for ALS research in 2014, has been reimagined by students at the University of South Carolina to tackle a new issue: mental health awareness. https://t.co/rVsW6H7wEX
— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 22, 2025
Personal Tragedy Sparks a Movement
The initiative was founded by Wade Jefferson, a junior at USC who started the MIND club after experiencing the devastating loss of two friends to suicide. His mission became clear: normalize conversations about mental health among his peers. “We believe conversations about mental health should be just as common and just as comfortable as conversations about physical health,” Jefferson explained in an interview with Forbes.
Initially setting a modest $500 fundraising goal, Jefferson and his team were shocked when the challenge went viral, eventually raising nearly $250,000 for Active Minds, a nonprofit organization focused on mental health awareness and support for young adults. The funds will help expand mental health resources and educational programs on college campuses nationwide, addressing a growing crisis among young adults who report increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Mixed Reactions and Controversy
While the challenge has garnered widespread support, it hasn’t been without controversy. Some participants have questioned whether the social media-driven format creates an exclusionary environment. Sasha Steinke told the Seattle Times, “I didn’t know if I should do it or not. I was thinking of all the people that don’t get nominated. It could feel like they’re sort of left out and that, like, defeats the purpose of including people.”
More notably, the challenge has drawn some criticism from ALS advocates who worry about diluting the connection between the Ice Bucket Challenge and ALS awareness. The original 2014 challenge raised an unprecedented $220 million worldwide for ALS research and awareness, with $115 million going directly to the ALS Association. However, the ALS Association has officially endorsed the mental health version of the challenge, acknowledging the significant mental health challenges faced by those affected by ALS and their caregivers.
Building On Past Success
Alison Malmon, founder of Active Minds, has embraced the campaign wholeheartedly, stating, “This campaign is everything Active Minds stands for—bold, mission-driven, and youth-led.” Brett Curtis from Active Minds noted the effectiveness of the approach, highlighting how the challenge has reached audiences who might not otherwise engage with mental health discussions. The organization encourages anyone interested in supporting the cause to follow @uscmind and @active_minds on social media.
The success of both the original and revived challenges demonstrates the continuing power of social media to mobilize support for health causes. For adults concerned with overall wellbeing, the campaign offers an important reminder that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health. By breaking down stigmas around mental health discussions, the challenge aims to create environments where people of all ages feel comfortable seeking help and supporting others through mental health challenges.
