Viral: The Challenge Promoting Mental Health Awareness

The "Ice Bucket Challenge," which took over social media in 2014 and raised millions of dollars for ALS research, is now receiving a significant update. A group of students from the University of South Carolina has adopted the popular concept to promote another important issue: mental health.

The #SpeakYourMIND campaign, initiated by the MIND club, was launched last month. According to a report in "Israel Hayom," similar to the original challenge, participants record themselves pouring ice water over their bodies, post the videos on social media, and invite others to join the initiative. The main difference this time is that the goal is to encourage open and honest dialogue on mental health.

The new initiative raises funds for Active Minds, a nonprofit organization focused on engaging young people and changing social norms related to mental health. So far, the campaign has raised over $100,000, partly due to the participation of social media influencers and high-profile figures like former NFL players Peyton Manning and Emmanuel Sanders.

The initiative is spearheaded by Wade Jeffers, a student at the University of South Carolina, who lost two friends and as a result founded the MIND club. Initially, Jeffers set a modest fundraising goal of just $500, expecting the challenge to remain within the campus community. However, he was surprised to see how quickly the trend gained momentum far beyond the university's boundaries.

The original 2014 challenge became a global phenomenon with famous participants, including former U.S. President George W. Bush and Bill Gates. The students involved in the new challenge initiative explain that its primary aim is to raise public awareness of mental health worldwide. They hope the campaign will help create an environment where people feel comfortable discussing their mental health challenges without fear of stigma.