The Ice Bucket Challenge first gained popularity in 2014 to raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a nervous system disease that weakens muscles.
In March 2025, the University of South Carolina’s Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club launched a new version of the Ice Bucket Challenge, calling it #SpeakYourMind. Instead of focusing on ALS, this campaign aims to raise awareness about the stigma surrounding mental health.
Here’s how the challenge works:
- If you get nominated, the person nominating you should tag you in their Ice Bucket Challenge video.
* You must complete the challenge within 24 hours of being nominated, or you will need to donate to the cause.
- Create a video of yourself dumping a bucket of ice water over your head, and nominate others in the video (there’s no limit on how many people you can nominate, but most people nominate between 2 and 5).
- Post the video, making sure to mention “@uscmind.”
While this challenge is fun (though quite cold), if you know anyone who is struggling with mental health issues, resources are available at the Mill’s Wellness Center and Counseling Office. You can also call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, which is available 24 hours a day in both English and Spanish.
