This Mental Health Awareness Month, young people across America are stepping up for each other against the stigma around mental health. One campaign launched by students at the University of South Carolina has gained national visibility by resurrecting a familiar challenge with a new purpose.
In March 2025, USC’s student-run group, MIND (Mental Illness Needs Discussion), created the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge, a mental health awareness campaign, based on the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS. The challenge consists of participants pouring ice water on themselves, posting on social media, tagging friends, and watching the challenge continue. However, the campaign’s purpose takes a new direction from the original. In addition to raising awareness for mental health, it encourages people to speak up, and it raises money for the nonprofit Active Minds, a national organization dedicated to supporting mental health awareness and education among young adults through peer-led programs and advocacy on high school and college campuses.
Wade Jefferson, a junior at USC who founded MIND after losing two close friends to suicide, founded the program with the aim to create viral excitement for mental health.
“We wanted to bring that same energy to mental health, too many people feel alone. We wanted to show them that talking about it is okay,” Jefferson told Active Minds.
By April, the campaign had raised over $240,000 for Active Minds, heavily surpassing its original goal of $500. The funds contribute toward education, awareness, and direct mental health programs for students in communities across the country. You can view or join the fundraiser on Active Minds donation page.
Some detractors concerned about the challenge’s viral nature point out that it may take the place of deeper conversations about mental health. USC students and many others believe that any action that keeps the door open to talking about mental health is a step in the right direction.
While the #SpeakYourMIND challenge started at a college, its message is extending into high schools and middle schools. Many teens are also leveraging social media to share their own stories and encourage their friends to talk about how they are feeling, as well as connecting face to face or virtually with support groups.
As more young people engage, it is apparent that the stigma of speaking up about mental health is not a weakness, but a strength. The #SpeakYourMIND campaign is just one illustration of how students and young people are using creativity, connections, and community to make an impact this Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental health is so crucial not only for this specific month but everyday, and should serve as a reminder for the importance of empathy and compassion for every single individual because you truly never know what someone is going through. In Madison Beer’s memoir titled The Half of It, she beautifully articulates these ideas in her words, “That’s kind of the point – you never know everything, even when you think you might. You never know the silent battles people are fighting, even the people you think you’re closest to. You’ll never walk in my shoes, and I’ll never walk in yours. And we shouldn’t have to in order to empathize with each other”.
Talking about mental health isn’t just a trend, it could save a life. Each time a teen speaks about their feelings, it helps others feel less isolated and fosters a stronger sense of community. Campaigns like #SpeakYourMIND reminds us that no one should have to suffer silently. Your voice matters, whether it is through a social media post or a quiet chat with a friend.
If you’re having a tough time or know someone who is, you can text “HOME” to 741741 to get connected to trained counselors or request help at https://www.crisistextline.org. Help is always available.
