As many have seen on social media platforms, people around the country are reviving the ice bucket challenge, renamed the University of South Carolina’s #SpeakYourMIND Challenge. In the trend, people dump ice water on themselves and then nominate three others to do the same.
The 2025 challenge started in March at USC’s Mental Illness Needs Discussion Club and gained popularity when people outside of the university continued it through viral social media videos.
Originating in 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge similarly involved people dumping ice water on themselves, but to bring awareness to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS, a nervous system disease that leads to loss of muscle control. According to The ALS Association, the challenge ultimately raised 115 million dollars for ALS research.
This time, the challenge focuses on raising awareness about mental health issues and reducing the stigma surrounding them, particularly for young adults. Similar to the original initiative, they are also fundraising, but for the organization Active Minds, which, according to CBC, has already generated over $300,000.
