The Ice Bucket Challenge: a popular challenge that began in the summer of 2014 as people from all over the country participated in dumping ice cold water over their heads to raise money and awareness for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Keeping the same concept, the trend has resurfaced, but for a different cause.

Seeing as the former challenge for ALS advocacy was very effective in raising money, students at the University of South Carolina brought this challenge back. This time they called it the USC Speak Your MIND Ice Bucket Challenge, which has the intent to  spread awareness for mental health needs. 

 This challenge consists of individuals pouring water over their heads on camera. The participants then post the video while nominating others to post their own video in under 24 hours. Participants must use the hashtag #SpeakYourMIND, tag USC MIND (Mental Illness Needs Discussion Club)  and are given the option to make a donation to Active Minds, a national nonprofit organization that promotes mental health education and resources. 

 Now having raised almost $400,000, this challenge has reached many prevalent social media platforms, such as Instagram and TikTok. Celebrities and influencers have joined in, garnering more attention than before. 

“When influencers started joining in, they started giving more information on the trend, and I feel like more people started paying attention to it and realizing what it was actually about,” FHS freshman Sia Awasthi said. 

Celebrities such as Florence Pugh, Khalid and others have participated in this trend while also providing information about the challenge to make sure that viewers  are educated on what this challenge is truly about. 

While the challenge has gained lots of popularity, many may overlook the original purpose of this challenge. As with many viral trends, there is a risk that the intent or message may be forgotten in the midst of excitement of social media participation.

“Many of the people that are doing it are just doing it to pour ice on their head, not to actually say that it’s for mental health,” FHS freshman Isabella Bjork said.  

With this, it is important to remember the message behind this challenge and that it is not just another social media trend but a form of activism. This is why tagging, sharing and donating can contribute to spreading awareness and getting people the resources they need. 

The USC Speak Your MIND Ice Bucket Challenge is supposed to continue up until the end of May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month. Starting out in the summer of 2014 and returning 11 years later to advocate for a different cause, the Ice Bucket Challenge is an important and fun way to raise money and spread awareness for critical issues.