Grady Walston’s clothing brand Astro 9 features graphics that inspire positivity and encourage mental health conversations.
When Grady Walston lost a classmate to suicide in 2022, he felt compelled do something about the mental health issues that plagued his age group.
“It hits hard when you realize people your age are walking around feeling so low,” Walston said. “You don’t know who is on the verge of giving up. I was looking for a way to get my message of support out to anyone I walked by.”
He designed a shirt with homemade vinyl patches reading “Mental Health Matters” and “When the pressure to be a 10 is out of this world, just try to be a 9.” When he wore it to Valley High School in West Des Moines, he found he wasn’t the only one who cared about mental health.
“My classmates saw me wear it and then they asked for shirts, too,” he said. “There are so many pressures on kids. I think it’s amplified for teenagers because of social media. There’s always someone on your feed you’re comparing yourself to.”
Statistics show that mental health issues are on the rise among teenagers. One in three Iowans under the age of 18 report feeling symptoms of depression, according to Iowa Youth Mental Health Corps. The organization reports there has been a 62% increase in suicide rates in the last 15 years for this age group nationwide.
While Walston initially viewed making T-shirts as a hobby, word spread quickly. He sold 600 handmade shirts in the first two months. When he realized the project’s potential, he decided to create his own brand, Astro 9 Shirts. Every shirt he’s designed under the brand sports a slogan related to mental health.
“It dawned on me that I might be able to actually help kids,” he said. “That’s why I started holding back part of every sale to donate to youth in crisis.”
He partnered with Ellipsis, a nonprofit that supports kids and their families through residential treatment, therapy and more. In December 2024, Walston donated $2,000 in proceeds from “You Matter” shirt sales. He planned to double his donation in 2025 and at press time was looking for local businesses to match his contributions to Ellipsis.
Astro 9 has now sold 2,000 shirts, and Walston’s not done. He recently appeared on Season 17 of Amazon Prime’s “The Blox,” a competition series in which entrepreneurs refine their business plans. He had to miss playing in a national championship soccer game but didn’t regret the decision.
“I was exactly where I needed to be to learn how to accelerate and make the most impact,” he said.
Walston is studying business and entrepreneurship at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge and is captain of the soccer team. He said he plans to continue growing Astro 9 with the connections he made from “The Blox.”
Currently, Astro 9 Shirts are available at a kiosk in Jordan Creek Mall and online at Astro9Shirts.com. Learn more about Ellipsis and how to support their mission at EllipsisIowa.org.
—Micaela Cashman
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