Video shows another generation participate in 'Ice Bucket Challenge' revival

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A challenge that took social media by storm over a decade ago is back, except this time around it's in support of another cause.

The ice bucket challenge has been reimagined with donations going toward furthering the mission of Active Minds, a national non-profit organization focused on "mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms."

The #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge, which kicked off on March 31, was created by students affiliated with the University of South Carolina's Mental Illness Needs Discussion Club, or MIND for short.

"It started as a random idea, inspired by the original ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and how powerful that movement was," Wade Jefferson, founder of the MIND club, said in a statement. "We wanted to bring that same energy to mental health."

The trend, inspired by the "OG" ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, has proved successful, raising over $300,000 to "equip youth and young adults with the resources, training, and skills they need to advocate for lasting mental health change."

Watch another generation participate in the 'Ice Bucket Challenge'

College students across the country, young children, parents and even celebrities, from Peyton Manning to James Charles, have participated in the challenge so far.

“We wanted to bring that same energy to mental health. Watching it take off – seeing people we admire, like Peyton Manning, join in – has been surreal," Jefferson said in a statement. "We’re proud, grateful, and just excited to see how far it’s gone and continue to go.”

The #SpeakYourMIND challenge is not without its critics, who felt that the new challenge overshadows the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised awareness and funds to find a cure for ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Brett Curtis, director of community fundraising for Active Minds, told Paste BN on April 23 that some MIND Club members had told them how much they admired "how contagious and the spirit behind the ASL Ice Bucket Challenge."

"I definitely want to give due to credit to ALS and the initial intention behind the challenge, and actually make sure to emphasize their statement too, that mental health is so important for ALS patients and caregivers in their community, and we're seeing a resurgence in support around the initial intentions of the ice bucket," Curtis said.

The #SpeakYourMIND challenge is "another opportunity to say mental health deserves its importance in this national conversation as well," Curtis said. He also hopes the momentum created by the student-led initiate continues into May, which is Mental Health Awareness Month.

"Active Minds has been doing this work for over 20 years so we will not stop just because an internet trend decides that we move on to something next," Curtis added.

How to participate in the new 'Ice Bucket Challenge'

The instructions to participate in the #SpeakYourMIND Ice Bucket Challenge, just like last time, are simple.

• Grab a bucket with some ice and water
• Record yourself doing the ice bucket challenge after being nominated
• Nominate between 2-5 people to participate
• Donate to Active Minds
• Upload the video to social media using #SpeakYorMIND and tag @uscmind

Contributing: Alyssa Goldberg, Paste BN