The Gray Matters is a nonprofit organization that advocates for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. What once started as a mental health campaign at Augustana College, led by Hayley DeGrave and Kevin Donovan, is now a collective spread throughout numerous Quad City schools. Rock Island High School’s Gray Matters chapter began in the spring of 2022, and is led by Michelle Greenwood (she/her).
Greenwood began leading Rocky’s Gray Matters chapter as soon as Rocky became a part of the collective. She states, “I choose to lead TGMC because I am passionate about spreading mental health and suicide prevention awareness. Losing even one person to suicide is too much.” Although Greenwood is the main leader of Rocky’s chapter of The Gray Matters Collective, students within the chapter are likewise granted the opportunity to take on leadership roles. Abigail Dillard (she/her) is a student leader in Rocky’s chapter of The Gray Matters. She began attending Gray Matters meetings her freshman year, which inspired her to become a student leader. Dillard states, “I wanted to become a student leader because my freshman year, the student leaders were so nice, and really changed my view on mental health, and how important it is. By seeing these older leaders caring so much about it, it made me realize how important it is to me.” She continues, “As a student leader, I plan what the meetings will be about and what activities the club will do. I also lead meetings and teach others about mental health and explain the activities.” The Gray Matters Collective has influenced those like Dillard and Greenwood to continue advocating for mental health and its importance.
Those within the Gray Matters Collective do not just attend meetings, there are also many events throughout the year that students can attend to continue their advocacy for mental health awareness and representation of the Rocky’s The Gray Matters chapter. “We attend many community events. In September, there will be the Keep Marching Forward event that remembers those lost to suicide. We will also participate in the Starry Night Gala in November, a fundraiser held each year to raise money for free therapy for those who can’t afford it,” stated Greenwood.
Everyone is encouraged to join the Gray Matters, after all, the goal of the Gray Matters is to bring together a supportive community. “Anyone can join by simply coming to a meeting. You don’t have to come every week, just whenever you have time, want, or need to,” Greenwood states. The Gray Matters meetings are every Wednesday at 7:15 AM in room 158.
