In 2014, a trend known as the “Ice Bucket Challenge” circled the internet, encouraging the awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. In 2025 this trend resurfaced, started by Active Minds at the University of South Carolina (USC). This time, the massive movement takes on a different cause, sharing the message that “Mental Illness Needs Discussion” and is titled #USCSpeakYourMindChallenge.
ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, controlling voluntary muscle movement. Millions of dollars in research funding for ALS disease were raised in the original challenge, which consisted of participants getting a bucket of ice water dumped on their head and then posting a video to nominate others to join or donate to the cause.
Similarly, the USC challenge has brought the trend back and has gone viral on TikTok and Instagram. It encourages viewers and participants to spread awareness of suicide and mental health, collect donations and direct those suffering from mental illness disorders to seek help.
Active Minds likely followed suit with the 2025 challenge due to the immense success of the ALS challenge, which expanded research of the disease and led to fundamental breakthroughs in the disease research. In the United States, there are 300,000 recorded deaths by suicide this year, showing a drastic need for awareness and preventative action on a public scale.
If any organization can hope to raise as much as the ALS challenge achieved, it may be Active Minds. The nonprofit claims to be the largest in the U.S. that mobilizes youth and young adults to “transform mental health norms across society.”
In recent years, activism has seemed to become a trend. While social media activism can bring awareness to a cause, it provides the illusion that more is being done, when in reality it may truly not be as influential as one thinks. Awareness of the issue becomes masked as participants focus more on the trend rather than the message.
Senior and PV The Grey Matters Collective (TGMC) leader Jilian Garris commented on the awareness aspect of this form of activism, “For me, the ice bucket challenge doesn’t mean much if the message behind it isn’t spread.” This stresses the importance of pushing a cause to the front of such a trend, “The first time I saw the challenge, I had no clue it was even associated with mental health, and I didn’t see anyone talk about it until later,” added Garris.
Without those who come across trends such as the ALS or USC Mind challenges donating to or contributing to spreading the cause, the trend can find itself travelling in circles to solely achieve awareness. However, awareness is not a bad thing when it comes to mental health action today. “It’s a great leaping point to start discussions,” Garris said.
Even more than awareness, action needs to be taken at the local and personal level. TGMC has done this by attending events including a panel with keynote speakers from the community, including Jeff and Michelle Moritz, parents of beloved PV student Jayne Moritz who unfortunately lost her life by suicide.
However, there is only so much that the club can do without consistent student support and involvement. The leadership has lost members in the past year, and out of the remaining leaders, two-thirds are heavily involved in other high school activities, and have had to divide their time between TGMC and other obligations. TGMC has held multiple meetings dedicated to mental wellness activities when possible, and actively encourages students to reach out for mental health resources.
So high schoolers have access to mental health resources, but what do other community members do when they need these resources?
Warmlines are important to those who are in need of help but don’t know where to start or lack access to the more costly methods of assistance. “A lot of times, those feelings you’re experiencing that aren’t yet suicidal contemplation can easily devolve into that without someone to talk to, and that’s where warmlines can come into play,” answered Garris.
Warmlines are among many resources that need to receive awareness. “Warmlines are incredibly underutilized and exist as an alternative to hotlines, when you need someone to talk to but are not on the verge of suicide,” expressed Garris.
Trends like the USC Mind challenge are beneficial to bringing the discussion of mental illness to the front of people’s minds, however with the short-life-span that social media trends have, members of the PV community must continue the discussion. Keeping up with The Grey Matters’ social media pages, or attending a meeting mentioned in morning announcements is a great start for students who would like to get involved.
A great way to contribute to the mental health discussion outside of Pleasant Valley is through the Foster Cares Fund, provided by The Gray Matters Collective and Foster’s Voice to provide free therapy for the Quad Cities Area through either QC Counselor or Transitions Mental Health.
The greatest source of all is loved ones and trusted adults. Never be ashamed to reach out to ask for help, or even to call a local warmline, because everyone is loved and deserves the best opportunity to grow and have positive loving connections with themselves and others.
