USC Ice Bucket Challenge 2025 is taking over. How to nominate people
‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ is back to raise awareness of mental health
In 2025, participants are doing the ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ to raise awareness and funds for mental health causes.
The Ice Bucket Challenge is back.
The challenge that splashed through social media in 2014 as people all over the world dumped buckets of ice water on their head to raise money and awareness for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research is returning, but this time for a new cause.
The 2025 version of the challenge is focused on mental health awareness, called the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge. And it’s going viral.
Here’s what to know.
What is the Ice Bucket Challenge?
Just like it worked a little over a decade ago, the challenge is to dump a bucket of ice water over your head while on camera. Participants then post the video and challenge someone else to participate.
The ALS challenge involved making a donation.
“Participants can either dump a bucket of ice water over their head and donate $10 to the ALS Association or skip the water and donate $100. They have 24 hours to complete the challenge and, if they choose the ice bucket, they have to upload a video as proof,” the ALS Association says on their website.
The #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge is the same concept, but this time, funds are going toward Active Minds, a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit with a mission to empower youth and young adults and to change the stigma around mental health.
How did the USC Ice Bucket Challenge start?
Students at the University of South Carolina’s Mental Health Needs Discussion (MIND) club launched the #SpeakYourMIND campaign on Instagram in March.
Wade Jefferson, a junior at USC, founded the MIND club after his friends died by suicide, according to NBC News.
At the time of writing, the campaign has raised over $289,000, with participation from high-profile people including TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager, who nominated celebrities Blake Sheldon and Scarlett Johansson, and actor Matt Bomer.
What are the Ice Bucket Challenge rules? Donations, rules, how to nominate
The rules of the 2025 Ice Bucket Challenge are listed on the USC Mind’s official instructions, and include how to nominate the next participant after you are nominated:
- Nominate 2-5 people to join by tagging them in your videos
- Make a donation through the Active Minds and #SpeakYourMIND fundraising page
- Share your video, using the hashtag #SpeakYourMIND and tag #uscmind
- Educate yourself and others by following @uscmind, @active_minds and visit activeminds.org
How much money did the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge raise?
The Ice Bucket Challenge raised $220 million worldwide, according to the ALS Association. For the ALS Association itself the challenge brought in about $115 million.