The USC Ice Bucket Challenge, known as the "USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge," is a social media campaign launched by the University of South Carolina's MIND club to raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention. It is inspired by the original Ice Bucket Challenge from 2014, which raised money for ALS research by having participants dump ice-cold water on themselves and challenge others to do the same or donate. The USC version repurposes the challenge to support mental health causes, specifically raising money for the nonprofit Active Minds, which focuses on youth mental health advocacy. Since its launch in late March 2025, the challenge has gone viral, raising over $240,000 towards a $250,000 goal for Active Minds. It encourages participants to post videos of themselves taking the challenge and to nominate others to participate, spreading awareness about mental health struggles
. However, some criticism has emerged regarding the challenge becoming performative, with many participants not including donation links or discussing the deeper message behind the campaign. There are concerns that the social nature of the nominating process might exclude isolated individuals, potentially harming their mental health. Despite this, the campaign has gained significant attention, including participation from celebrities and public figures, and is seen as a bold, youth-led movement to break stigma and advocate for mental health
. In summary, the USC Ice Bucket Challenge is a mental health awareness and fundraising initiative by USC students that adapts the viral ice bucket format to support mental health causes through Active Minds, aiming to reduce stigma and promote open conversations about mental health
