The University of South Carolina (USC) Mind challenge, also known as the Speak Your Mind challenge, began at USC in late March and drew the attention of students around the U.S., including NC. The Mental Illness Discussion (MIND) club partnered with the Active Minds nonprofit to create an engaging challenge to generate traction for mental health awareness. Now, NC students challenge themselves and their peers to dump a bucket of ice water on themself.
“Personally, my mother is schizophrenic, and my family has a history of mental health challenges, so raising awareness for that makes me feel seen. As teenagers, adults tend to say you are too young to have those issues. Of course, we are hormonal, but that does not make our feelings any less valid. This challenge is really helpful because it is something fun people can get involved in and spread awareness at the same time,” freshman Leah Zapata said.
The challenge, originating in South Carolina, expanded its reach to NC and surrounding high schools. Due to MIND’s social media presence, specifically through their Instagram (IG) account, the club reached 200,000 followers, and in turn, those followers enticed their friends to follow. MIND raised $31,000 as of April 16, 61% of the way to the $50,000 goal. While the date that the challenge reached NC remains indeterminable, it began spreading rapidly in recent weeks as IG stories suddenly flooded with nominations. A call to action of this caliber, seemingly undeniable to the average NC student, holds the power to raise serious awareness for a deserving cause.
Active Minds, the largest mental health awareness nonprofit for young adults in the U.S., began in 2003, intending to raise awareness and decrease mental health stigma on college campuses. Now, the nonprofit creates challenges, engaging IG posts and shares fundraisers to help their cause. The organization extended its reach to all students, providing opportunities for any scholar to easily raise awareness around their community. Active Minds hooks new NC students into the challenge daily. As students participate and nominate friends, the challenge stretches its reach.
A rise in mental health issues among young adults steadily increases each year, as the percentage of young adults facing these issues has become six times as prominent in comparison to 2019 studies. As of 2025, suicide rose to the 11th cause of death in the U.S., and among ages 20-34, the act rose to 2nd place. The Speak Your Mind challenge encourages students to reach out for help and eradicate the stigma attached to speaking about mental health.
Thankfully, NC sports an amazing team of counselors that students may speak to about academic and emotional stress. The Sources of Strength club at NC also encourages camaraderie and a sense of community among the student body, a part of their mission statement, commenting on suicide prevention. While mental health issues continue to rise, NC students proudly support each other and spread awareness through their participation in the ice bucket challenge.
“I was chosen for the challenge recently, and I am going to do it today when I get home. Spreading awareness for mental illness is really cool, I feel like it might make NC feel safer. Teenagers in general just are not taken seriously when we talk about our issues, so I am glad people are starting to spread awareness for that,” junior Jessica Johnson said.
After the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, depression and anxiety skyrocketed. Students became isolated from their friends and family, and now, five years later, NC students continue advocating to keep their peers safe and supported. So, while the ice bucket challenge gains nominees each day and the student body donates to Active Minds, anyone who struggles with their mental health or feels unsupported by their community may find the courage to speak out and reach out.
