The University of South Carolina’s (USC) Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge has made a comeback in 2025 after originally starting in 2014. Wade Jefferson created this challenge to help raise money for his two friends that committed suicide. Participants record themselves doing the challenge, nominate people to do the same, make a donation, and then post the video using the hashtag #SpeakYourMIND or tag the club @uscmind. The challenge raised $242,395 to help with Wade Jefferson’s friends’ funerals.
However, over the years, the challenge has changed its meaning by inspiring people to literally douse themselves (or someone else) with ice cold water to help spread awareness about mental health, and then challenge or nominate other friends, celebrities, and even complete strangers to do the same. The challenge has exploded on TikTok, Instagram, and a few other apps in just a few weeks. More that 17 million people have already participated in the USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge.
What are the Ice Bucket Challenge rules?
The rules of the 2025 Ice Bucket Challenge are listed on the USC Mind’s official instructions and even 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
Today the #SpeakYourMind Ice Bucket Challenge has raised $387,981 with the goal of raising $500,000. By fundraising for Active Minds, we are showing the people in our lives that their mental health matters, that we should be open about our mental health, and they should be able to seek the care they need. The #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge is a launching point for us all to proudly commit our support to changing how mental health is viewed and prioritized in society and supporting the young people leading this crucial movement.
