The “USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge,” originating from the University of South Carolina, has become a viral sensation on social media. Students across the country are drenching themselves in vats of ice-cold water to raise awareness for mental health.
Over a decade ago, another internet wave of participants dumped cold water on themselves during the summer of 2014 to raise money and recognition for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative illness with no known cure. The original challenge raised over an estimated $220 million for charities and organizations to find a cure.
Now, the 2025 version of the challenge has sparked a conversation about mental health awareness. In late March, a club at the University of South Carolina called the Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) posted a video on Instagram, reigniting the ice bucket challenge.
The founder of MIND at the University of South Carolina started the challenge “to shine a light on mental health awareness,” according to the post, which has since received over 3.4 million views and 59,000 likes.
This mental health campaign has raised more than $300,00 towards its goal of $500,00 alongside Active Minds, a nonprofit organization in the United States that aims to help youth and young adults change the mental health landscape. According to the organization’s donation page, the ice bucket challenge has become a focal point for “how mental health is viewed and prioritized in society and supporting the young people leading this crucial movement.”
Reynaldo Grech, a freshman studying international relations and global business, said he heard of the challenge from his friend in Virginia, and when he took part in the challenge, he found it pretty fun. However, he did not include ice in his bucket.
“I think it’s important to talk about mental health — there is a mental health crisis going on, especially in the United States. People are suffering without really speaking about it,” Grech said.
“I think [the challenge] is very important — mental health is a very serious issue, and for a very long time, it was regarded as fake,” said Alexandra Oxenstierna, a sophomore studying arts, technology, and the business of innovation.
Over the years, the conversation surrounding mental health advocacy has shifted from taboo to a more open topic, especially on college campuses.
“I think for me and my struggles with mental health at school, I was able to find resources within therapy [at USC]. You get four free therapy sessions, and from there they connect you to a therapist,” said Madison Pottinger, a junior studying public relations and advertising.
“We’re in an age where people are starting to raise awareness for it and recognize it as a serious issue,” Oxenstierna said.
In 2018, USC made an effort to increase mental health resources on campus, based on reports that students faced increasing stress and anxiety. The university made changes by bringing the USC student health services and student counseling into the department of psychiatry at the Keck School of Medicine, for students to receive support.
Trojans are more than willing to get dunked in ice water if they’re nominated for the trend.
“I haven’t been nominated, but it would be cool to do, and it’s something I care about,” said Pottinger.
“Yes, of course I would!” said Oxenstierna.
Two days from now marks the start of May, which is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. The month will be a time to address the many challenges faced by millions of Americans with mental health conditions.