The Ice Bucket Challenge is a viral social media campaign that involves pouring a bucket of ice-cold water over oneself, filming it, and then nominating friends to do the same within 24 hours or make a donation to charity. It was originally created in 2014 to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease or Lou Gehrig's disease
. The 2020 Ice Bucket Challenge revival focuses on mental health awareness. Initiated by the Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club at the University of South Carolina, participants pour ice water over themselves to promote open discussions about mental health and raise funds for mental health organizations like Active Minds
. Key points about the Ice Bucket Challenge:
- Originated in 2014 in the U.S. to raise awareness and funds for ALS research and care
- Over 17 million people participated worldwide, including celebrities, raising more than $115 million for ALS research in 2014 alone
- The challenge involves nominating others to participate within 24 hours, either by doing the challenge or donating to charity
- The 2025 revival supports mental health awareness and suicide prevention, with proceeds going to mental health nonprofits
- The challenge has had a lasting impact on ALS research funding, public awareness, and patient support services
In summary, the Ice Bucket Challenge is a charitable campaign using a fun, viral stunt to raise awareness and funds for serious health causes-originally ALS and more recently mental health
