Why Is the Ice Bucket Challenge Back? New TikTok Trend Explained

If you were online in 2014, chances are you saw the original Ice Bucket Challenge. People everywhere — from everyday folks to celebrities — were dumping freezing water over their heads to raise money for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). The challenge went viral and raised over $115 million for ALS research.

Now in 2025, the Ice Bucket Challenge has returned, but with a new purpose. This time, the campaign focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially among young people and students.

Why Are People Doing the Ice Bucket Challenge Again?

The new version of the challenge is called the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge. It began at the University of South Carolina when students from the Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club wanted to tackle the stigma around mental health.

These students were inspired by the power and community impact of the original ALS campaign. They decided to use the same viral formula to raise awareness and support for a growing mental health crisis, particularly on college campuses.

According to a 2024 survey by Generation Lab, 70% of college students said they had struggled with mental health since beginning university. Many of them also admitted that they didn’t know how to talk about their issues with friends or loved ones. Suicide remains the second leading cause of death among students in the U.S.

How the 2025 Ice Bucket Challenge Works

The rules of the challenge are nearly the same as before:

• Record a video of yourself getting a bucket of ice water poured over your head.

• Post it on social media, especially TikTok or Instagram.

• Tag and challenge 2 to 5 friends to do the same within 24 hours.

If someone doesn’t want to take the icy plunge, they can simply donate to the cause instead.

This reboot of the challenge raises money for Active Minds, the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. focused on mental health education and advocacy for young adults.

The goal is simple: Start conversations, reduce stigma, and encourage peer support. Just like the original campaign “broke the ice” around ALS, this one is breaking the silence surrounding mental illness and suicide.

The Impact So Far

When the campaign began in late March 2025, the original goal was to raise just $500. But within weeks, it had already brought in nearly $200,000 — and the number keeps rising.

Celebrities have joined in, giving it even more reach. Peyton Manning and Today Show hosts Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah Guthrie, and Carson Daly have all taken part in the challenge.

Thanks to its viral nature, the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge is spreading fast, just like it did in 2014. But this time, it’s opening up conversations about mental health, and helping thousands of people feel seen, heard, and supported.