The USC Ice Bucket Challenge, launched by the University of South Carolina's Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club, is a revival of the original Ice Bucket Challenge but with a new focus on mental health awareness. This challenge supports Active Minds, the largest mental health nonprofit for teens and young adults in the U.S. Participants dump a bucket of ice water over their heads and nominate others to do the same, aiming to break the stigma around mental health, normalize seeking help, and raise funds for mental health programs. The challenge has gained significant traction on social media, raising over $240,000 toward a $250,000 goal for Active Minds
. This mental health version of the Ice Bucket Challenge is inspired by the original 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised $115 million for ALS research and care by encouraging people to pour ice water on themselves and donate to ALS organizations. However, the USC challenge has sparked some controversy because some in the ALS community feel it diverts attention from ALS awareness and research, while others see it as complementary since mental health is also a critical issue for ALS patients and their families
. In summary, the USC Ice Bucket Challenge is a mental health-focused adaptation of the viral ALS fundraiser, aiming to promote self-care, reduce stigma, and support mental health nonprofits, particularly Active Minds
