Katrina Gregory could have stayed home on September 5 feeling sorry for herself. Instead she chose to mark the anniversary of her son Jerale's suicide by shining a light on mental health awareness and suicide prevention -- and encouraging other people to do something nice for someone else. "Whether it be buy someone a coffee, cut someone's grass, whatever you feel in your heart to do for someone," Gregory said in a post on her Facebook page, encouraging others to join her in acts of kindness and post them on social media.

"When you do kind things, and good things, it makes someone else want to do the same."

Gregory and her husband Gerald kicked off the day by buying someone a meal at a local restaurant near their home in Blairs, VA. Then Mr. Gregory bought someone's gas, and Mrs. Gregory paid for drinks for everyone at Starbucks. "I blessed them with a gift card. Because when I got in, everyone had already bought their drinks," she told WSET-TV.

The camera phone was rolling when Jerale's nephew Ayden did an act of kindness at the convenience store where he stopped after football practice.

Danielle Hairston bought lunch for her friend Deuntae Motley.

Gregory says she was overwhelmed by the number of people who participated and texted her notes and pictures. She plans to hold another #PayItForward4Jerale day next year.

September is Suicide Prevention Month .If you or someone you know is thinking of taking their life, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is just a phone call away 1-800-273-8255. You can also visit their website for more resources .

And if you haven't done an act of kindness for someone today, there's still time!

(Images & video : Katrina Gregory Facebook page , Pay it Forward for Jerale Gegory Facebook page )