Active Minds and The ALS Association Join Forces this May to Raise Awareness and Support for Mental Health and ALS
Revival of the Ice Bucket Challenge Sparks Over $400,000 in Donations for Youth Mental Health—and Renews Momentum for Both Causes
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 1, 2025) — In a powerful show of unity and purpose, Active Minds and the ALS Association are joining forces this May to mark both Mental Health Awareness Month and ALS Awareness Month. The collaboration celebrates the enduring spirit of the iconic Ice Bucket Challenge, now reimagined as the #SpeakYourMIND Challenge, which has already raised more than $400,000 to support the work of Active Minds and the mobilization of youth and young adults to champion a new era of mental health. As the nation’s leading nonprofit organization committed to transforming mental health norms among 14-25 year-olds, Active Minds’ work throughout the country positions young leaders to be the change in mental health that is especially critical for this age group.
The original Ice Bucket Challenge changed the game for ALS awareness in 2014, raising millions and inspiring a global movement. Now, more than a decade later, its viral legacy is back—amplified by a new generation of youth and young adult advocates rallying for mental health, while also continuing to amplify the needs of the ALS community.
This renewed energy serves as a powerful reminder: both mental health and ALS are urgent health issues that demand visibility, compassion, and commitment. By joining together, Active Minds and the ALS Association aim to highlight the interconnectedness of physical and mental health, reduce stigma, and ensure that individuals and families affected by these challenges receive the support they need.
“The Ice Bucket Challenge is a cultural phenomenon that has changed the fight against ALS forever,” said Calaneet Balas, president and CEO of the ALS Association. “It led to the discovery of new ALS genes, launched global research collaborations, and expanded care for people living with ALS. At the same time, it showed how grassroots action can transform health outcomes — and we’re pleased to see that same energy now being used to advance mental health awareness, as well.”
“This campaign has become more than just a viral trend—it’s a symbol of solidarity across movements,” said Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds. “Whether you’re navigating the mental health journey or facing a diagnosis like ALS, no one should do it alone. This May, we stand together—because awareness leads to action, and action leads to hope.”
The original Ice Bucket Challenge raised $115 million for the ALS Association, which led
to another $1 billion in follow-on funding for ALS research. In the years since, new
treatments have emerged — one of which has shown reversal of disease progression in
people with a specific genetic form of ALS. The Challenge also sparked a global shift in
how rare diseases are funded, understood, and prioritized. Now, in 2025, its legacy lives on through a united movement that supports both brain and body, awareness and action, courage and care.
Throughout the month, both organizations will be sharing stories, resources, and calls to action to foster community, education, and philanthropy.
Watch as Active Minds’ Alison Malmon and the ALS Association’s Calaneet Balas take the Ice Bucket Challenge together, uniting two causes in a powerful moment of action. Check out the video at https://bit.ly/4jHa79O
How to Join the #SpeakYourMIND Challenge:
- Grab a bucket, some ice, and a friend
- Record your challenge and tag three others to take it next
- Post on social media and tag @active_minds, and @alsassociation
- Include donation links to support both causes (www.als.org/ibc/activeminds.org/speakyourmind)
For more information about the ALS Association, visit als.org. For mental health resources and ways to get involved, visit ActiveMinds.org.
Together, we can break silence, honor strength, and push progress forward for ALS — while championing a new era of mental health.
Active Minds is the largest nonprofit in the United States mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms across society.