The summer of 2014 saw the creation of the ice bucket challenge. Initially to raise money for the ALS association, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, it quickly became popular with celebrities and even politicians like Donald Trump participating.

The challenge has recently returned. The University of Carolina started the challenge again, this time to shed light on mental health. 

“I think it’s pretty cool seeing it come back,” junior Justin Dusenberry said. “Especially because it’s for a good cause.” 

In addition to the challenge being for a good cause, the challenge also sparks a sense of nostalgia. 

“It feels nostalgic,” freshman Lily Welch said. “I think it brings good awareness to mental health.”

Others believe that the nostalgia factor of the challenge is not good because it is just influencing people to do the trend. 

“I feel like the ice bucket challenge coming back is to try and nostalgia-bait people,” junior Elias Bower said. “Into whatever the USC’s cause is.”

While Bower thinks the challenge is propaganda, sophomore Riley Douglas believes that the trend coming back is staggering. 

“I think it’s an amazing thing to come back,” sophomore Riley Douglas said. “I think it coming back is revolutionary too.”

Recently, the ethics of the challenge have been questioned. Many people believe that most are doing the challenge because it’s trending and not for the good cause of promoting mental health awareness. 

 “I am a strong advocate for mental health awareness,” Dusenberry said. “I think that it takes away from the whole reason for the challenge to be a thing. The last time this challenge was popular, it was for ALS, and now it is for mental health awareness. I feel like not knowing what the challenge is takes away from the entire point of the challenge.”

As Dusenberry is a big advocate for mental health awareness, Bower feels as though mental health awareness is overly talked about, and does not need to be addressed as much as it is today. 

“I feel like the overall challenge it’s meant to spread awareness for is very stupid,” Bower said. “Mental health issues are not something that isn’t very well known. I would even say that mental health is talked about too much and doesn’t need to be addressed as much as it is. Another thing I really dislike about the ice bucket challenge this year is the fact that other people are nominated to do it, meaning people who have fewer friends and experience more mental health struggles are left out of it, when they are the ones who need to be reached out to the most. The original ice bucket challenge for ALS awareness made sense as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease was not very well known, and it actually helped fund tons of research and care for those who had the condition.” 

Some feel as though participating just because it is trending is immature and childish. 

“I’ve seen many videos on people just participating and not promoting the cause,” Douglas said. “I think it’s kind of childish to be honest…the trend should be used for its main reason.”

Overall, most believe the trend is nostalgic and also a great way to raise awareness. Here is a link to find out more about the campaign and to donate to the cause, Active Minds. 

“I’m happy it came back,” Douglas said. “And I hope that it continues, I think it’s a great thing.”