WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 17, 2025) — More than a decade after the original Ice Bucket Challenge captured global attention in 2014 in support of the fight against Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) , the viral spirit is back in support of another crucial cause. The University of South Carolina’s MIND club (Mental Illness Needs Discussion) has launched a bold, reimagined Ice Bucket Challenge focused on mental health, and attention it has received is already immense. As part of their campaign, participants are encouraged to donate to Active Minds, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms.Kicking off with a splashy, heartfelt video, the University of South Carolina’s #SpeakYourMIND Challenge has captivated audiences across social media. The campaign exploded—and within days it has garnered hundreds of thousands of views, inspiring over 2,300+ donations and raising more than $40,000 to support mental health resources for youth and young adults.

The response has been swift, wide-reaching, and deeply moving, proving the power of young people to mobilize and make change. “It started as a random idea, inspired by the original ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and how powerful that movement was,” said Wade Jefferson, Sophomore at USC and Founder of the MIND club. “We wanted to bring that same energy to mental health. Watching it take off – seeing people we admire, like Peyton Manning, join in – has been surreal. We’re proud, grateful, and just excited to see how far it’s gone and continue to go.”

“This campaign is everything Active Minds stands for—bold, mission-driven, and youth-led,” said Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds. “To see youth and young adults take an iconic viral moment and breathe new life into it for mental health advocacy is incredibly powerful. It’s proof that when young people rally together with passion and purpose, they don’t just raise awareness—they ignite a movement. This is how we create a new era of mental health.”

Now, Active Minds is encouraging youth and young adults across the country to keep the momentum going.

The challenge is simple—and meaningful:

Grab a bucket, some ice, and a friend
Record your challenge and tag three others to take it next
Post on social media and tag @uscmind and @active_minds to be featured
Include the donation link to support the work of Active Minds
Just as the original Ice Bucket Challenge did for ALS, this version is turning awareness into action. Beyond the buckets and the contagious videos, it’s about breaking stigma, building community, and making mental health a visible, valued part of everyday conversation.

Participants are encouraged to share educational resources—including self-care tools, ways to offer help, and information to access crisis support—available at activeminds.org. Together, we’re not just starting a challenge—we’re creating a new era of mental health.

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