The Gray Matter’s Collective (TGMC) started at Augustana College in 2018. Led by Haley DeGreve and Kevin Donavon, this non-profit organization strives to provide community for young people and brings attention to mental health awareness.
While most mental health organizations are centered around or led by adults, TGMC is run by youth and for the youth.
Aptly named, ‘the gray’ refers to the gray area of not knowing how to help someone struggling with mental health problems.
For DeGreve, this cause is more than just a passion, it’s her life’s purpose. “On August 28, 2019— I almost died by suicide. It was the absolute low point for me. I didn’t think I would survive that time of my life. Yet I did, and now I feel like I have to do something with my second chance,” DeGreve explained.
DeGreve and Donovan have specifically steered their efforts to one of the most affected groups of people: teens. “This is why we have Gray Matters chapters in high schools. Teens that are loved at home come to school to learn. Teens that aren’t, come to school to be loved. And I’m a firm believer that we must create more safe spaces for people to heal, talk, commune together. And that is what Gray Matters is all about.”
Raising over $40,000 for mental health, this local Quad Cities organization offers free training for anyone who signs up. They offer a few sessions each month which gives attendees the knowledge on helping others who are struggling with mental illness. Further, TGMC has started many support groups, such as “Girls in Gray,” “Army Boot Camp” and “Monthly You Matter Series.”
For the past 5 years, TGMC members have been working tirelessly to spread their message and suicide awarness.
“After seeing mental health problems be so prevalent in my life and the lives of those around me, I knew I had to do something. Just create one ripple,” DeGreve continued. “And now that ripple has expanded to 80,000 people globally. It’s pretty amazing. But that wasn’t just me. My small voice inspired one person, who inspired the next, who inspired the next. And now we have thousands of voices creating ripples across the world. It’s a choir of courage, really.”
The Collective is partnering with local high schools and throughout the Quad Cities area in hopes of providing safe spaces for youth. Pleasant Valley recently announced that a chapter of The Gray Matters Collective is coming to the high school.
Sophomore, junior and senior student leaders will be chosen to plan and run chapter meetings and events. Along with these students, counselor Nicole Shea will aid in leading this chapter. “This is a work in progress. We envision monthly meetings with the entire group while student leaders will have additional meetings to help plan future ones. Activities have not been planned yet. Activities will be decided with our student leaders and the needs of our school.”
Although not finalized, PVHS’s Gray Matters Collective chapter hopes to revamp the mental health space for teens.
Chapters organize and participate in workshops, self-care nights, themed sports games, dances and fundraisers whose profits go right back to supporting teen health. Through various events, mental health advocacy and awareness is successfully spread throughout the halls of high schools.
Over one in five U.S. high school students have seriously contemplated suicide and one in ten students have attempted suicide.
This soaring number represents the inability to protect teens’ mental health. Youth represents the future of America and many disregard it. Instead of waiting for someone to speak up or see signs, tackling this issue head on is one of the many goals of TGMC.
Day by day, The Gray Matters Collective is revolutionizing youth mental health spaces.
What’s one thing that TGMC wants anyone struggling to know? “Tell people you love them. Dance and sing like crazy. Enjoy every moment of this life. And when you’re consumed by darkness— stay for you. All the hugs you have yet to receive. The people you haven’t met. The places you have yet to go. The sunsets you haven’t seen. The ice cream you haven’t tasted. The day life finally feels okay again,” DeGreve said.
Learn more about The Gray Matters Collective here
