Since 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge has been used to raise awareness for various causes. It started that summer with ALS, but recently, students at the University of South Carolina revived the trend after losing two classmates to suicide. Members of the school’s “MIND” (Mental Health Needs Discussion) club aim to normalize conversations around mental health and make support more accessible.

The trend has gained traction on Instagram Stories and TikTok. Students at West Chicago Community High School have even joined in. The idea is simple: someone is nominated, and they in turn nominate three to five friends. It becomes a chain reaction that shows how connected people are. Nominees then dump a bucket – or two – of ice-cold water on themselves to spread awareness. Those who choose not to participate can still donate to mental health causes.

The original Ice Bucket Challenge inspired 17 million people around the world and raised over $100 million for ALS research.

Now, students in West Chicago are participating with a new purpose.

“The Ice Bucket Challenge is a challenge where you have someone dump a bucket of ice-cold water on top of you,” junior Trisha Marszalek said. “You get nominated by a person who chooses you, and when you get nominated, you pick two to five people to do the Ice Bucket Challenge.”

At WEGO, students have taken the challenge beyond school grounds by nominating friends in other communities.

“I’m very excited to do the USC Ice Bucket Challenge. I’m going to nominate my baseball teammates from out of school,” sophomore Ryan Bell said.

The connection through social media keeps everyone linked. While Generation Z is often criticized for spending too much time on their phones, this trend is using digital platforms to share a positive message: mental health matters.