The second annual “We Are The Collective” event is set for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at the Holiday Inn (Grand Ballroom) in downtown Rock Island.
The event, which will help kick off May as Mental Health Awareness Month, will honor student leaders in area schools with chapters of The Gray Matters Collective groups. The organization is a mental health awareness and suicide prevention movement that began at Augustana College in 2018.
Tickets can be purchased now for $15 per person or will be available at the door for $20 per person. It is free to attend for students from the school chapters. To purchase a ticket, visit www.thegraymatterscollective.com.
“We Are The Collective 2023 is a great opportunity to not only learn about mental health awareness in the Quad Cities, but to see and hear from advocates on the front lines,” said Haley DeGreve, founder and president of The Gray Matters Collective.
The Gray Matters Collective (TGMC) is a local 501(3) nonprofit organization with chapters in local high schools and colleges. The organization is devoted to empowering students, working adults, and others to have the tools and knowledge to be a mental health advocate.
Through providing presentations on how to help yourself with mental health challenges, how to help others, and how to talk about the topic, TGMC exists to make a statement: mental health is important and it’s time to see real change, according to Gray Matters information.
Brandon Kutmas, founder and CEO of the Quad City Behavioral Health Associates, will be the keynote speaker. He will discuss being a mental health provider and why an open discussion about mental health awareness is important now more than ever.
In addition, a student panel will share how to shine a light on the reality of mental health issues in our very own community – especially with our local youth.
“Most importantly, this event inspires real change – starting with you,” Ms. DeGreve said. “We at The Gray Matters Collective, in collaboration with professional resources in the area, are equipped and ready. We invite you to join this mission with us on May 3rd to be a part of it.”
