NEW YORK, April 22: This spring, social media is once again filled with videos of people dumping buckets of icy water over their heads. The famous Ice Bucket Challenge has made a comeback — and while it may appear similar to the viral phenomenon of 2014, this time it’s being revived for a new cause: mental health awareness.

For those who might not recall the original challenge, the Ice Bucket Challenge became an online sensation more than a decade ago. Participants would fill a bucket with ice water, record themselves getting soaked, and then nominate others to do the same. The original idea was to either take the challenge or donate to a charitable cause — though many chose to do both.

While the challenge may have started as a fundraising effort by professional golfers for pet-related charities, according to the Wall Street Journal, its widespread popularity came in 2014 when it became associated with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research. That shift was largely thanks to Pete Frates, a former college baseball player diagnosed with ALS in 2012, whose family and community used the challenge to raise awareness and funds. The campaign raised over $115 million for ALS research and drew participation from celebrities like Justin Bieber and Oprah Winfrey. In total, more than 17 million people took part.

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge in support of ALS, but now the challenge is seeing new life with a different mission.

At the end of March, a student-led organization at the University of South Carolina called MIND — short for Mental Illness Needs Discussion — launched the "Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge" to support mental health awareness. Participants are encouraged to donate to Active Minds, a nonprofit that works to change the conversation around mental health among young people.

In a statement on the Active Minds website, Wade Jefferson, a sophomore at USC and founder of the MIND club, expressed his amazement at how far the campaign has reached. “We’re proud, grateful, and just excited to see how far it’s gone and how far it will continue to go,” he said.

Although this new version of the challenge hasn’t yet reached the viral heights of the 2014 ALS campaign, it is gaining traction on social media, with influencers like James Charles and Haley Kalil participating. According to Jefferson, even former NFL star Peyton Manning joined in — though the video has not been made publicly available.

For some social media users, the return of the Ice Bucket Challenge brings nostalgia — and a reminder of how Gen Z is reviving and reimagining millennial trends. But not everyone is on board with the new version.

Some critics argue that disconnecting the challenge from ALS feels inappropriate, especially given that the disease still lacks a cure. TikToker Chrissy, who has a family member currently living with ALS, said in a video, “This just doesn’t rub me the right way.” Another user, Lily, commented that the new challenge isn’t as impactful because awareness around mental health is already widespread. “We should bring back the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,” she said, sharing her grandfather’s experience battling ALS. “He didn’t make it, as ALS is a death sentence.”

Others worry that the challenge has become more about gaining views than creating real awareness. One TikTok user said, “Call me boring, but it’s really just turned into another trend, and half the people doing it don’t know the meaning behind it at all.” Another added, “Is it just me or does this new Ice Bucket Challenge feel extremely performative? Are people actually donating or just posting?”

Despite the criticism, the ALS Association is supportive of the new direction. In a statement, the organization expressed appreciation for the continued legacy of the original challenge. “We applaud efforts to raise awareness for causes like mental health — an issue that also affects the ALS community in profound ways,” the statement read. “People living with ALS, their caregivers, and loved ones often face depression, anxiety, grief, and isolation. We also honor Pat Quinn, Pete Frates, Anthony Senerchia, and the millions who made the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge a powerful movement. Their spirit of collective action continues to inspire us as we work to make ALS livable and eventually cure it.”