It’s time to speak your MIND: USC’s ice bucket challenge makes waves in Central Oregon

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- If you’ve opened social media recently, you’ve likely seen it — hundreds, even thousands of people dumping ice water over their heads. No, it’s not the return of the viral ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from 2014. This time, it's the Speak Your Mind Challenge, and it’s sparking a national conversation around mental health.

What Is the Speak Your Mind Challenge?

The challenge was created by the University of South Carolina’s student-led organization, MIND — short for Mental Illness Needs Discussion — in partnership with the national nonprofit Active Minds, a leader in mental health awareness and education.

The mission? To get people talking about mental health in a way that’s fun, creative, and community-driven.

How It Works

The challenge is simple:

• After being nominated by someone, you record a video of yourself pouring ice-cold water over your head.
• Before you get soaked, you nominate 2 to 5 other people to take on the challenge.
• Post the video to social media using the hashtag #SpeakyourMIND and tag @uscmind.
• Optionally, participants can donate to the USC MIND fundraising page, where 100% of proceeds go to Active Minds.

It's a lighthearted but powerful way to spread awareness — and in just a few weeks, it’s taken off across the country.

Central Oregon Joins the Movement

Right here in Central Oregon, local students and athletes have jumped in — literally — to support the cause. From creative takes involving tractors to bold jumps into rivers the youth in our community are proving that nothing can stop them from speaking their mind — and supporting mental health awareness while they’re at it.

At its heart, the Speak Your Mind Challenge is about breaking the stigma around mental illness, encouraging open conversations, and showing that mental health matters — in every community.

Whether you’re in South Carolina or Central Oregon, it’s clear: The movement is making an impact.