Old Challenge, New Cause, Mixed Reactions

By Megan Gauthier | Graphic by Gigi Claus |

After a ten-year hiatus, the viral Ice Bucket Challenge is resurfacing with a new philanthropic cause. Originally launched in 2014 to raise awareness for ALS, the challenge’s focus has shifted to mental health awareness, prompting mixed reactions, especially among the ALS community. 

The original challenge – where participants dumped buckets of ice water over their heads – became a viral sensation, raising over $115 million for the ALS Association. The funds supported critical research projects, improved care access, and advocacy initiatives for those affected by the incurable, fatal, and progressive neurodegenerative disease. Though the trend made great strides in ALS research and awareness, the disease persists without a cure. 

In 2025, the challenge resurfaced with a new mission: mental health awareness. The revamped trend, sparked by a video posted to the University of South Carolina’s Mental Health Awareness Club’s Instagram, has raised nearly $300,000 for mental health organization Active Minds. According to the fundraiser's website, the funds will be allocated to “equip youth and young adults with the resources, training, and skills they need to advocate for lasting mental health change.”  

While many applaud the initiative, some members of the ALS community expressed their disappointment in the trend’s new objective. Mikey Stone, a TikTok user living with ALS, offered his thoughts in a recent video: “The ice bucket challenge was born out of a desperate need to bring awareness to ALS,” he said. “Repurposing this specific campaign shifts the spotlight away from its original life or death urgency… Let’s uplift both causes, but let’s not erase one in the process.” 

Another TikTok user with ALS, @amandatam00, echoed the sentiment: “As someone living with ALS, the USC [Mental Health Awareness Club] repurposing the Ice Bucket Challenge for their own campaign feels like a slap in the face,” she said. 

The original Ice Bucket Challenge was never just a trend – it was a lifeline for a community in crisis. As the movements evolve, participants are encouraged to honor its origins by continuing to raise awareness for ALS alongside mental health, keeping both causes in the conversation.