The USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge

The USC Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge has blown up on social media, reaching Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and more. 

The trend dates back to Summer 2014, as a movement to spread awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Three young men with ALS started the trend by dumping ice-cold water on themselves and challenging friends and family to do so as well. They then encouraged people to donate to ALS research to help cure it, starting a popular trend. The trend reached big-time celebrities like Lebron James, Bill Gates, Dwayne Johnson, and more. In all, they ended up raising $115,000,000 to help research for ALS, which was a big success. 

Today, 11 years later, the University of South Carolina (USC) has brought back the trend as an attempt to spread mental health awareness. Led by USC Mental Illness Club President Wade Jefferson, people are called upon to do the same thing they did in 2014. They thank the person who nominated them, nominate a couple of friends or family, and then have ice water poured on them. Overall, the goal of the trend is to encourage people to speak up about their mental health. As of April 18th, USC has had $52,000 donated, passing their goal of $50,000. 

The trend has reached people in Ken-Ton, so if you get nominated, consider doing it, nominating some friends or family, and have fun with it! Also, consider donating to the USC Mental Illness Club to help raise awareness about mental illness for people around the country.