With viral social media posts spreading amongst thousands of people and celebrities, the Ice Bucket Challenge has spread to Galileo where numerous students have started to participate. However, this is actually the return of the challenge as it first started back in 2014 to raise awareness for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
For this challenge, which is now being done to raise mental health awareness, someone is nominated, and the nominee must then pour a bucket full of water and ice on themself or have someone else pour it on them. Then, they must either say it’s for the ALS association, or tag them on any social media platform (@ALS) you want to post it on, with the most common ones being Youtube and Instagram. The nominee can then nominate other people to complete the challenge. The challenge could be done anywhere; your backyard, park, on the street, etc.
The revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge first started with the University of South Carolina’s Mental Health Needs Discussion (MIND) club. The club started the challenge in March 2025 on Instagram and it spread like crazy. This had the same requirements as it did for the ALS version, but for a different reason and a different account, tagging @uscmind. Additionally, it doesn’t have to be just a bucket; nominees can be sprayed with a hose, or even have no ice in the water (as long as it’s cold). Here are a few Galileo student’s doing this challenge.
Despite the point of challenge, which is spreading mental health awareness, a number of people are doing it because it seems fun and not related to spreading awareness on mental health. Most just seem to enjoy pouring water on themselves. Senior Edison B. says, “The challenge doesn’t seem to help or even spread awareness of mental health. I wish there were alternate ways to do so instead of pouring ice water on yourself.”
Senior Kenny T. said, “I did the challenge because of my friends nominating me and I thought it would be fun since it was a trend. I was nervous doing it, but it ended up being very fun. I think it does spread awareness because it’s a challenge and a lot of people would want to join in on it and post it on their stories to share out”. Senior Jason Liang adds, “It helps out a little since I actually got to do something enjoyable right before the stress of AP exams”.
